350
The first renewable energy cooperative in Spain
In 2010, Gijsbert Huijink, a resident of rural Girona, Spain, was frustrated by the lack of electricity access. He installed solar panels on his home, discovering how feasible it was to generate his own power. Hoping to install a wind turbine, he looked for a local energy cooperative to join, but found none focused on both renewable production and consumption in all of Spain.
Driven by this gap, Huijink and friends launched Som Energia, the country’s first renewable energy cooperative, with a campaign to find 350 initial members. Six years later, Som Energia had expanded to 27,000 members, generating enough renewable energy to meet the annual needs of 3,200 families. Despite legislative barriers and a financial crisis, Huijink’s team succeeded by building a cooperative powered by community commitment and member contributions. Som Energia produces electricity from diverse renewable sources, including solar, wind, and biogas, funded entirely by voluntary contributions from its members. Operating as a grassroots, horizontal organization, Som Energia empowers local groups in towns across Spain to shape the cooperative’s direction. Its innovative model provides electricity at a lower cost than traditional market prices.
By embracing a self-sustaining model, Som Energia was able to install its first solar project in Lleida, followed by eight additional projects across Spain. Members can invest in the cooperative, receiving compensation through reduced electricity bills, which keeps the project’s benefits within the community.
Today, Som Energia continues to inspire others with its community-centered, resilient approach, showing that even in restrictive environments, people can come together to build a renewable-powered future for all.
Som Energia, Spain’s first renewable energy cooperative, began work in 2010 by installing solar panels for affordable and safe energy access, through the effort of their community members in the rural city of Girona.
The cooperative’s members have been active in the community since 2010 helping families in Girona get energy access through renewable solutions like solar and wind power.
The cooperative financed and install wind turbines to provide cleaner, safer and low-cost energy access to their neighborhood.
Som Energia members showcased their solar ovens as a renewable cooking alternative at a local action in 2010 as part of 350’s Global Work Party, with 7000+ actions across 188 countries.
The cooperative founder Gijsbert Huijink, is proud of the renewable energy access to 3200 families that his cooperative helped provide.
Members often meet to plan the local energy production and consumption needs.
The cooperative’s members also participate in 350’s network events, like the Global Work Party to showcase the power of communities in building renewable energy projects.
Driven by the success of its own projects, Som Energia often urges politicians to pass better energy policies and promotes renewable energy as a solution to the climate crisis.
“There are many ways to do this (start an energy cooperative) successfully. But my advice to anyone who wants to start their own cooperative is simply get started!”
– Gijsbert Huijink, local resident and founder of Som Energia, Spain’s first energy cooperative
More about the project
Credits
With thanks to Som Energia