Commitment, transparency and innovation: the management model of Grup TERSA
The growth of renewable energy and a solid corporate social responsibility strategy have positioned Grupo TERSA as a key ally of metropolitan municipalities in the energy transition
The energy transition has been moving beyond the abstract concept for years. Today, it is taking shape in concrete decisions and tangible projects that directly impact citizens' daily lives. We see this in the rooftops of buildings that have installed solar panels, but also in the infrastructure that transforms all kinds of waste into usable energy. In this context, the role of public companies is key to ensuring that this change progresses according to criteria of sustainability, transparency, and service to the common good.
It is within this context that the TERSA Group operates, a metropolitan public company focused on the circular economy and environmental management. Through renewable energy generation, waste management, and the promotion of sustainability, the group has established itself as a strategic partner for 14 municipalities in the Barcelona metropolitan area, which, along with the Barcelona City Council, are shareholders. The growth of its renewable energy division and a robust corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy are shaping its roadmap, which is highly focused on creating long-term public, social, and environmental value. But what exactly does TERSA do, and why is it key to the energy transition and the circular economy?
A model of success
The success of Grup TERSA's model, comprised of TERSA, SEMESA, and SIRESA, is based on an unusual combination: technical expertise, a public service vision, and close institutional collaboration with metropolitan municipalities. This approach has allowed it to play a significant role in the deployment of renewable energies, especially in the field of photovoltaic solar energy, where it acts as a comprehensive project manager and a leading technical advisor for the Barcelona City Council, the AMB (Barcelona Metropolitan Area), and 14 metropolitan municipalities.
This operational capacity is translating into concrete and measurable projects that accelerate green energy generation and enable municipalities, citizens, and the business sector to move towards a more self-sufficient and sustainable energy model. By the end of the first half of 2025, Grupo TERSA was managing 285 photovoltaic solar energy installations (222 in Barcelona and 63 in the metropolitan area), 19.75% more than in the previous six months. In total, more than 2.83 million kWh of renewable energy were produced.
The group has also become a technical partner for public administrations, having provided technical assistance to the Barcelona Metropolitan Area (AMB) on more than 160 projects during the same period. Furthermore, it has executed landmark projects such as the maintenance of the Fòrum photovoltaic pergola and the supervision of the new Sant Boi pergola, the most powerful in the metropolitan area. This deployment is supported by its own specialized team, with more than a dozen professionals boasting over fifteen years of experience, and is complemented by the role of Barcelona Energia, the public energy supplier of 100% renewable energy, which now has more than 17,000 supply points.
In the area of waste management, Grup TERSA also contributes to transforming an environmental challenge into an energy opportunity. In 2024, the Sant Adrià de Besòs Energy Recovery Plant processed more than 319,000 tons of waste. In total, the plant's electricity production in 2024 was 169,436 MWh, with 84.14% sold to the grid and 15.86% used for self-consumption. Thermal energy was also generated to power the urban heating and cooling network for the Fòrum and 22@ districts, serving more than 190 buildings. Meanwhile, at the Gavà-Viladecans Municipal Waste Treatment Center, managed by SEMESA, more than 33,000 tons of lightweight packaging were processed, achieving a 60% recovery rate. In bulky and wood waste, the recovery rate was 89%, with a total of 60,290 tons treated, which represented a significant improvement in the plant's capacity and efficiency.
Sustainability and CSR: two key ingredients
Sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) are central to Grup TERSA's business model. Through SIRESA, the group promotes civic engagement with sustainability through environmental consulting, training, and waste management support, and participates in and coordinates initiatives such as the Barcelona + Sustainable network. This approach is reinforced by a strategy that places environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria at the heart of management, with actions focused on good governance, equality, diversity, employee well-being, and decarbonization to consolidate a public service model aimed at generating a positive impact on the region.
This commitment is reflected in transparency and ethical policies, partnerships with the environmental and energy sectors, and projects that promote more efficient resource use and a just energy transition. All of this reinforces Grup TERSA's role as a public actor committed to the present and future of the region.