Catalan cooperative announces creation of Rural Energy Community
Fruits de Ponent has launched a pioneering project that seeks to transform energy management in its production region. It has set up a Rural Energy Community (CER), a shared self-consumption model that integrates renewable energy storage with the goal of reducing costs and increasing energy self-sufficiency.
It said the initiative, carried out in collaboration with the Basic Energy Services Association (Seba) and with the support of Batec and the Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives of Catalonia (FCAC), “represents a decisive step towards a cooperative energy transition”.
The project includes the installation of batteries to store energy generated during periods of low demand and the development of management software that allows for the maximum use of available renewable resources.
“The objective is for this new infrastructure to not only help Fruits de Ponent, but also its members and the community, to improve energy management. This energy sharing system is an efficient solution that will help reduce dependence on external energy sources and save costs,” the cooperative said.
Fruits de Ponent has been working on developing this shared self-consumption model since 2022, funded by programmes that support unique projects. In 2023 it conducted a study to identify the best way to combine stored energy with the consumption needs of the cooperative and its members.
With the support of Seva, the cooperative is now beginning the second phase of the project, which includes the installation of energy storage systems and the development of management software. The solution will allow for more efficient consumption management, making better use of generated energy and optimizing peak demand periods.
“Fruits de Ponent not only aims to be a leader in energy self-sufficiency, but also to establish itself as a model for the agri-food and energy cooperative sector,” the company said. “The Rural Energy Community initiative adheres to cooperative values, offering a solution that can be replicated in other regions and cooperatives across the country.
“This project is conceived as an energy transition strategy that benefits both the cooperative and its members. Through the use of energy storage, Fruits de Ponent will be able to optimise consumption and use energy more efficiently, reducing costs and environmental impact. Furthermore, the project opens new opportunities for the local community, fostering collaboration and the creation of a more sustainable energy ecosystem.”
With its planned completion in May 2027, Fruits de Ponent said the Rural Energy Community would solidify the cooperatives position as one of Catalonia’s most innovative initiatives in the field of sustainability and self-sufficiency. A project that, beyond the economic benefits for its members, has a strong social and territorial responsibility component.
This commitment to sustainability and the energy transition is complemented by the cooperative’s track record, which has been working for years to reduce its energy dependence through the installation of photovoltaic panels at its workplaces. Fruits de Ponent is also a member of the United Nations Global Compact, aligning its strategy with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Thus, this new energy community project is presented as a key element in moving towards a more sustainable, resilient, and locally committed agri-food model. Fruits de Ponent continues to demonstrate that cooperativism can be a transformative force in building a fairer and more energy-efficient future.
