Menorca has taken a significant step toward energy transition with the organization of the first Energy Communities Conference, led by the Menorca 2030 Climate Transition Office (OTC) of the Island Council. The event, held on 20–21 November at the Centre Bit in Alaior, provided a platform to share experiences, discuss opportunities and barriers, and bring this collective model of renewable energy production and management closer to the public.
During the second day, on Friday the 21st, various studies and tools developed to support the deployment of energy communities (ECs) in Menorca were presented, with contributions from technical experts, consultants, and energy cooperatives. Among the speakers, Borja Olives, project engineer at Aiguasol, outlined the three initiatives in which we have participated as a renewable-energy consultancy:
- Pilot project for the optimization of solar potential on public rooftops and carports
Borja presented a study assessing the potential for collective self-consumption and energy communities in three low-density municipalities: Sant Lluís, Es Mercadal and Es Migjorn Gran. The analysis shows that many existing photovoltaic installations—particularly those on carports—are “giving away energy” because shared self-consumption (SC) is not yet regulated. With proper aggregation of demand, municipalities could reduce their energy consumption while local citizens could benefit from surplus energy, for example, through public tenders to allocate this surplus to local energy communities. This vision has also been shared by La Mirada Cooperativa, which has provided coherence to the study through the presentation of a legal guide aimed at assisting municipalities in tendering a portion of their photovoltaic energy to energy communities, establishing models of public–private collaboration. - Development of a database of load curves and collective self-consumption simulations
This project has made it possible to compile consumption data from public facilities and identify typical daily load profiles. The tool will allow public administrations to rapidly assess which buildings can share energy—combining schools, libraries, and other public facilities—while addressing the challenge of consolidating consumption data from different entities and administrative levels. - Digital tool for the simulation and economic management of energy communities
The third project presented is an economic planning tool that enables the development of financial models for energy communities, incorporating grants, loans and member contributions. Once the community is operational, the tool facilitates monthly management by tracking cash inflows and outflows, ensuring a positive treasury balance and streamlining the work of the person responsible for managing the EC or SC scheme.
Together, these tools and studies provide Menorca with practical resources to promote collective self-consumption and strengthen the development of energy communities, contributing to a more sustainable and participatory energy model. As noted by the Councillor for Environment, Biosphere Reserve and Cooperation, Simón Gornés, “These sessions are an opportunity to showcase projects, studies and initiatives that can serve as examples for advancing energy communities in Menorca.”
With this first edition, the Menorca 2030 OTC lays the groundwork for building an island-wide network of energy communities, fostering citizen engagement and moving towards a more sustainable and shared energy future.
