More and more citizens in Spain are looking for alternatives to reduce their electricity bills and consume clean energy. One of the most interesting options is to join an energy community, a collaborative model in which neighbors, SMEs and local administrations jointly produce and consume renewable energy.
But how do you sign up for an existing energy community? We tell you step-by-step, with practical tips and helpful resources to get you started.
Energetic Community Registration Step by Step
Find out about energy communities in your area
The first step is to identify whether there is already an active energy community or one in formation in your municipality or county.
Where to look:
- Local municipalities: many promote or collaborate in energy communities.
- Energy cooperatives: entities such as Som Energia or regional cooperatives usually manage collective self-consumption projects.
- Online platforms: portals such as ComunidadEnergetica.com bring together initiatives throughout the country and allow easy registration.
- Specialized companies: some consulting and installation companies help to create or manage communities and can inform you about projects in your area.
Tip: if there is no community in your municipality, ask if there are projects underway in nearby towns. Under current regulations, you can join if your home is less than 2 km from the shared solar installation .
You can consult initiatives on platforms such as ComunidadEnergetica.com, on the European Commission’s Map of energy communities or ask your local council directly if it is involved in any local project.
Contact the drivers
Once you have located the energy community, the next step is to contact them directly. You will usually find a contact form on their website, an email address or even an information phone number.
In this phase you will be able to solve doubts such as:
- What are the requirements to join?
- What power or energy quota can I contract?
- What is the cost of the initial participation or membership fee?
- What estimated savings can I achieve on my bill?
Knows and meets the requirements
Each energy community establishes its own requirements for participation. The most common are:
- Membership fee or initial participation: some communities require a financial contribution to finance the installation.
- Electricity contract: sometimes it is necessary to change your electricity contract to a supplier linked to the community.
- Commitment of permanence: to guarantee the stability of the project, some communities require a minimum period of membership.
Important: the objective of an energy community is not to obtain financial benefits, but to generate economic savings, social and environmental benefits for its members.
Formalize your registration
Once you have decided to join, you will need to formalize your membership. This may include:
- Sign a registration form.
- Provide your personal data and supply contract.
- Accept the bylaws or internal rules of the community.
When you complete this process, you will officially become a member of the energy community, entitled to benefit from the energy produced and participate in decision making.
How to find energy communities in Spain
- Municipalities: check if your municipality is promoting a collective self-consumption project.
- Cooperatives: look for cooperative initiatives such as Som Energia or others at the regional level.
- Online platforms: websites such as comunidadenergetica.com allow you to search by province and sign up.
- Ongoing projects: it is easier to join a project that is already underway than one that is still being created.
In Girona, for example, there are already energy communities in municipalities such as Pals, Tossa de Mar, Sant Julià de Ramis or Figueres, which makes it easier for neighbors in the area to join together.
Benefits of joining an energy community
- Economic savings: reduction of the monthly electricity bill.
- Clean energy consumption: 100% renewable and local electricity.
- Democratic participation: the right to have a say and vote in the management of the community.
- Positive environmental impact: reduction of CO₂ emissions.
- Social benefit: strengthening community cohesion and supporting the local economy.
Tips before you sign up
- Be well informed: check bylaws and conditions before joining.
- Compare options: if there are several communities in your area, compare prices, conditions and services.
- Ask about subsidies: some communities have subsidies that reduce the entrance fee.
- Think long term: most communities are looking for stability, so it is advisable to commit to the future.
Joining an energy community is an opportunity to save on your bill, consume renewable energy and be part of a fairer and more sustainable model. The process is simple: locate a project, contact the promoters, meet the requirements and formalize your registration.
If you want to take the step and do not know how to start, in our energy communities service we advise you on how to locate the best option in your municipality.”