The GWO Continues to Collaborate with the Barbanza Ecosocial Laboratory to Promote Community Energy Transition

• by OEGA
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This past Tuesday, January 28, GWO led the second open meeting on the creation of an energy community in Barbanza

The event was organized by the Barbanza Ecosocial Laboratory and aimed primarily to build on previous work to support the entire social fabric and citizenry in achieving a just, sustainable, and viable energy transition.

The GWO, represented by Xavier Simón, Professor of Applied Economics at the University of Vigo and a member of CISPAC, conducted an interactive presentation to encourage the formation of a local driving group. According to Simón, “the main limitation to advancing these initiatives is not technological, financial, or legal, but social. Without mobilization and social commitment, without an active local energy citizenry, this type of transition will not take place.” The GWO representative also noted that some transition models operate on a turnkey basis, requiring citizens to simply wait while others take care of every aspect, including financing. However, in his words, “we advocate for transition processes in which citizens participate actively. It’s like the local water supply associations—without local involvement and effort, many homes would have no water. The same can be done with energy.”.

All local stakeholders voiced their commitment to advancing community empowerment in the energy transition process. Among the participants were the Araño Community of Common Land, the Neighborhood Association of the same parish in Rianxo, other common land communities such as those of Isorna, Araño, Leiro, Paradela, and Baroña, and the Platform for the Defense of the Forest, a regional entity bringing together numerous organizations dedicated to protecting and promoting the value of forested land. Notably, the Rianxo City Council also participated, with its representative expressing full support for advancing the energy transition by backing and engaging in all community initiatives.

The next step, which the GWO will coordinate, involves conducting an energy and economic study to facilitate informed local decision-making based on specific data and insights regarding the operation of electricity generation facilities that harness local resources.

The Wind Energy Observatory of Galicia is a University of Vigo think tank dedicated to promoting a just energy transition. It is supported by the Isla Couto Foundation, the Juana de Vega Foundation, and the Paideia Galiza Foundation.