Valencia is bringing solar energy to those who need it most. The POWER UP project in this Spanish city of over 830.000 inhabitants is transforming the city’s approach to renewable energy by installing photovoltaic (PV) panels on municipal rooftops and cemeteries, creating energy communities that directly benefit vulnerable households. A crucial part of the project’s success is its strong collaboration with social services, ensuring that the right people benefit from the initiative. The city’s one-stop shops also play a key role, offering guidance on energy rights, bill optimisation, and access to support schemes for vulnerable households. We’ve asked Arturo Zea Falcon, in charge of energy at Valencia Clima i Energia, a city-owned foundation, how everything started and what remains to be done.
A personal and professional mission
Born and raised in Valencia, Arturo Zea has always been passionate about the intersection of energy, society, and the environment. “I was always interested in the social and environmental aspects of the energy sector,” he says. Initially working on large-scale PV projects, he realised that corporate solar developments did not align with his values. When he discovered that Valencia Clima i Energia was working on socially driven energy projects, he saw an opportunity to contribute to meaningful change.
His motivation is reinforced by the tangible impact of his work. “It could be my neighbourhood, my parents’ neighbourhood, or my friends’. The impact is real, and I can see it.” His work directly affects people’s lives, bringing energy solutions to communities that need them most.
Overcoming bureaucracy and social barriers
For Arturo, the biggest challenges are not technical but administrative. “It takes so much time to make even a small step,” he admits. The complexity of decision-making within the municipality and delays in procurement processes have slowed progress. “It took the municipality a year and a half just to select a company to install the PV panels. By then, the specified panels were no longer available, so we had to restart the process. These are things you can’t anticipate. This said, it’s normal that delays are long when it comes to bigger long-term investments.”
Despite the enthusiasm of the population and broad political consensus on the need for renewable energy and social inclusion, bureaucratic hurdles continue to slow implementation. “Even when everyone agrees, the process is still frustratingly slow. Managing expectations has been a challenge, as households often ask when they will see benefits, and we can’t always give them a clear answer. This isn’t a short-term project; it’s a 25-year commitment that requires careful planning, but we need to find ways to move faster.”
Another challenge is engaging vulnerable households. In Valencia, 23% of residents live in energy poverty. Many face barriers such as lack of awareness on the various existing support mechanisms, administrative hurdles, or rental conditions that make participation difficult. “Finding the right people to benefit is not as easy as it sounds. Thankfully, our collaboration with social services has been excellent. They have been helping us identify households that can benefit most and assist in navigating administrative barriers. We work closely with social services to reach those who qualify.”
Despite these obstacles, Arturo believes in persistence. “You have to be flexible. Our initial plan didn’t happen exactly as we thought, but we adapted.”
Delivering real impact: energy for those who need it most
Despite the frustrations, Arturo remains optimistic. Valencia has already set up 10 energy communities across the city, with more in development. “We are at a key point where we need to procure more rooftops for energy communities. There is a lot of excitement from citizens, and we need to keep up the momentum.”
One of the most promising developments is the municipality’s commitment to using cemetery rooftops for solar energy production. “The idea was simple: these are large, unused spaces where PV panels won’t disturb anyone. The city agreed, and now 25% of the energy produced will be given for free to vulnerable households.”
The scale of the project is significant. The planned installations will generate 2.8 MW of renewable energy, directly benefiting around 1,000 people. “We don’t just give people free energy; we train them to use it wisely. For many, it’s a mindset shift, understanding when to use appliances for maximum benefit.”
The planned installations will generate 2.8 MW of renewable energy, directly benefiting around 1,000 people.
Valencia’s POWER UP target
A model for the future
Arturo sees Valencia as an example for other cities. “Any new PV installation in the city should have an energy poverty perspective,” he insists. He hopes the project’s achievements will be inspiring other municipalities to follow suit. “Even if we don’t hit all our project’s targets, we’re building something important for the future of the city.”
For him, the work is about more than just solar panels: it’s about making the energy transition fair and inclusive. “We’re proving that you can do things differently. It’s not just about putting up PV panels and calling it sustainability. It’s about making sure the energy transition benefits everyone.”
As Valencia pushes forward with its energy transition, Arturo remains deeply involved, working alongside communities to make renewable energy more accessible and inclusive. His commitment lies in ensuring that the energy transition is built with local people, so that they take ownership of this shift, helping to build a future that is both cleaner and more just.
