Solar Self-Consumption and Energy Communities Gain Momentum in Menorca

With its abundant sunshine throughout the year, Menorca holds a natural advantage in the clean energy transition. Harnessing this resource through photovoltaic self-consumption is proving to be one of the most effective ways for households and businesses to reduce their reliance on electricity from the grid and cannot be overlooked.

Photovoltaic technology is mature, reliable, and highly predictable. Property owners can estimate with considerable accuracy how much electricity their installation will generate annually — and therefore how much they can save. By producing electricity directly on-site, self-consumption systems allow energy to flow straight to the end user without passing through the conventional electricity grid, which is typically owned by large utility companies. This direct use of locally generated power not only lowers energy bills but also strengthens local energy independence.

Energy Communities: Sharing Local Energy Solutions

However, not everyone has the space needed to install solar panels. Some residents may not own part of their building’s roof, while others may have insufficient surface area to generate the electricity they need. This is where energy communities offer a powerful solution.

Energy communities enable collaboration between individuals with surplus rooftop space and those without installation capacity. In this model, people who can generate more energy than they consume can share it with others who cannot produce enough themselves. Through collective agreements, community members define installation rights, consumption shares, payment structures, and governance rules.

This cooperative approach creates a fair and flexible framework for renewable energy production and distribution. It also strengthens trust and solidarity among participants, who move from being passive consumers to active co-owners of local energy infrastructure.

RECET Workshops Across the Island

Within the framework of the RECET project, workshops have been organised in all municipalities of Menorca to promote energy communities and explain their benefits. In total, nine workshops have been held across the island.

These sessions introduced citizens to new concepts of shared ownership and collective electricity generation. Participants explored how energy communities can reduce dependence on large network owners while fostering cooperation among neighbours. By sharing infrastructure and responsibilities, communities can build stronger local ties and increase confidence in renewable energy solutions.

Lessons Learned: Overcoming Barriers

Efforts to establish energy communities have revealed two main challenges: legal complexity and public distrust of alternative energy supply models.

On the regulatory side, the creation of energy communities is influenced by legislation at national, regional, and local levels. Navigating this regulatory landscape can be difficult for citizens and municipalities alike. To support the process, CIMe is preparing a practical guide outlining the necessary legal and administrative steps for establishing an energy community.

The second challenge relates to trust. For decades, energy supply has been dominated by large private companies, and shifting towards community-based models requires a cultural change. The workshops held under RECET play a crucial role in demonstrating that citizens can successfully collaborate outside traditional utility structures. By participating in shared renewable energy initiatives, residents contribute not only to decarbonisation but also to the socialisation of energy production.

To further encourage citizen engagement, CIMe is also developing a guide aimed at mobilising communities and supporting the creation of new energy initiatives across Menorca.

With its exceptional solar potential and growing local engagement, Menorca is steadily building the foundations for a more decentralised, participatory, and sustainable energy future — one where clean energy is produced locally, shared fairly, and owned collectively.