Energy efficiency

The Extremadura Energy Agency Consortium (AGENEX) participated in the Final Conference of the European project AgroRES, held at Palazzo Merulana in Rome on April 19. Each partner region presented their initiatives, and the main results obtained.

AgroRES, a project aiming at the promotion of the use of renewable energy in agriculture and the rural sector in the participating regions, has been led by Agenex for four years,

Eight partners from seven countries (Spain, Poland, United Kingdom, Finland, Italy, Romania, and Ireland) participated in the project. In the case of Extremadura, in addition to Agenex, the regional Agri-Food Technology Center of Extremadura (CTAEX) has also collaborated as a key stakeholder, helping to highlight the potential for valorization of by-products and energy solutions for the agri-food industry in the EUROACE area.

Meanwhile, Daniel Encinas, AGENEX’ Technical Coordinator, explained that thanks to the experience gained during the AgroRES project, the implementation of Renewable Energy Communities in rural and depopulated regions has been identified as one of the main keys to promote the use of renewable energy in these areas. AGENEX is now implementing other projects and initiatives, such as the recently approved ShareRES project, that will allow to provide the necessary boost to the creation Local Energy Communities in Extremadura.

In terms of innovative technologies applicable to the agricultural and rural environment, the representative from the United Kingdom pointed out at the opportunities offered of Biomass. Other entities such as Lubelskie Voivodeship (Poland) and the Regional Council of North Karelia (Finland) have improved their policy instruments by including provisions on RES in agriculture in the text of their regional strategies, also emphasizing the importance of developing local cooperatives and energy clusters.

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During the meeting, chaired by Rachel C. Tully (Agenex) and Dina Maini (Arsial), the partners also stated the lack of information on renewable energy and available financing in rural areas. For these reasons, the project's results in Extremadura and Lazio focused on the development of advisory offices to provide training and information to farmers regarding access and financing to renewable energy sources in the agricultural sector.

The Final Conference concluded with a speech by Cosme Segador, the Director of AGENEX, who pointed out at the importance of participating in interregional cooperation projects like AgroRES for regions like Extremadura, as they "allow to bring successful practices to the participating regions and improve the related regional policies."