Grants and subsidies for Energy Communities in Catalonia (2025)
We take care of the design, installation and legalization of Energy Communities. We guide you in requirements for grants.
Solarcoop Grants (Generalitat de Catalunya)
Competitive line to establish or strengthen consumer cooperatives and/or associations that want to become cooperatives, oriented to renewables and efficiency.
They should include the development of the management and operation model of an energy community (at least at the preliminary draft level).
- Promote economic activity and employment through the cooperative and the energy community.
- Promote collective generation and self-consumption with renewables and efficiency.
- Abandoning fossil fuels, bringing generation closer to consumption and combating depopulation.
Total budget: €8,000,000. [Call for proposals 2024]
- Consumer cooperatives or associations that want to become a consumer cooperative.
- Purpose: economic activity (preferably in depopulated areas) and energy transition through an EC whose participants are partners.
- Majority of individuals as members or support from the municipality where the headquarters/neighborhood is located.
- Incorporate as a CE (consumer cooperative) within ≤ 18 months from grant.
- Up to 100% of eligible costs.
- Maximum €80,000 per project.
- Contracted personnel of the association/cooperative dedicated to the performances.
- Accompaniment of expert cooperatives (e.g., through the Cooperative Athenaeum of reference).
- External services required.
- Indirect expenses (rent, supplies, material…) max. 10%.
- Dissemination and communication of the project.
- Taxes actually paid (not recoverable VAT or personal income tax).
- EC operating models: legal, economic, energy, management.
- Not eligible: investment in generation/storage equipment.
- Eligible yes: preliminary/executive project of the installation.
Example last call: May 4 – June 19 (23:59). Next: – / to be confirmed.
Telematic presentation with digital certificate via ICAEN (Canal Empresa).
Mandatory advertising: logos and mentions of ICAEN’s support and of the Social Economy Program according to the terms and conditions.
CE implements program (IDAE - Nextgenerationeu)
State incentive program for singular pilot projects of energy communities (Order TED/764/2024, July 22).
Finances projects that promote citizen participation in energy: electric and thermal renewables, efficiency, sustainable mobility and demand management.
Non-repayable grant to be paid after justifying the investment. To facilitate implementation, advance payment of up to 80% of the aid granted.
- 5th call: €30,000,000. Small size projects (investment ≤ €1,000,000).
- 6th call: €90,000,000. Large projects (investment ≥ €1,000,000).
- Application deadline (both): 19/09/2024 → 31/10/2024 (12:00 h). Closed.
- Next calls: – / to be confirmed.
Public or private legal entities that promote the participation of non-traditional actors through RECs or PPAs.
Application at the IDAE Electronic Headquarters (corresponding call for applications).
Comparison of Energy Community subsidies
| Criteria | Solarcoop (cooperatives/associations) | CE Implementa (pilot projects) |
|---|---|---|
| Objective | to create/strengthen the cooperative and the EC model | invest in and implement unique projects |
| Type of beneficiary | consumer cooperative or association that becomes | public/private legal entity (CER/CCE) |
| Covers investment in equipment | no (yes preliminary/executive project) | yes (with requirements; electrical with mandatory storage) |
| Intensity | up to 100% of eligible costs (ceiling 80.000 €) | non-repayable grant (with advance 80%) |
| Project size | organization and model | small (≤ 1 M€) and large (≥ 1 M€) |
| When to choose | phase 0-1: set up structure and governance | phase 2: implement facilities and services |
How to apply for Community Energy Assistance
- Diagnosis and fit: consumption, PV potential, actors, legal form (association/cooperative/entity).
- Report and preliminary project: technical, legal and economic; distribution coefficients if there is collective self-consumption.
- Schedule and budget by items: CAPEX/OPEX and communication/participation plan.
- Complete file: official annexes, declarations, required publicity (if applicable).
- Telematic presentation (ICAEN/IDAE) with digital certificate within the deadline.
- Resolution and execution: contract, work, start-up and justification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I order solarcoop if I am not a cooperative yet?
Yes, if you are an association with the intention of becoming a consumer cooperative and you meet the rest of the requirements. The conversion must be formalized within ≤ 18 months from the grant.
Does Solarcoop finance panels and batteries?
No. It finances model and structure (legal, economic, management) and technical documentation (preliminary project or executive project). Investment in equipment is not eligible for SolarCoop.
What kind of projects fit in ce implementa?
Projects in which citizens/entities participate: electric and thermal renewables, efficiency, mobility and demand management. In electricity, storage is required.
Can I combine aids?
It depends on compatibilities and avoiding double financing of the same expense. We study co-financing (e.g., county council + municipality) on a case-by-case basis.
What deadlines should I consider?
The calls set short windows. Have the report, agreements and corporate documentation ready to present in time. We prepare the complete dossier and notify you of new openings.
Choose the fast track for your energy community. We review your case and give you a realistic range and next steps.