Take action: start saving energy

Insulating the façade and installing a heat pump to efficiently heat and cool the home, adjusting the contracted power, installing solar panels, or replacing a combustion engine with an electric one. These are just some of the steps we can take to reduce energy consumption, pay less at the end of the month, and contribute to the fight against climate change. To help us achieve this goal, the Generalitat de Catalunya, through the Catalan Energy Institute (ICAEN), invites everyone to contribute to transforming the energy model as a result of European Sustainable Energy Week, held on June 10, 11, and 12.

With the slogan "Take action, we change energy," the campaign aims to empower the population through open days, workshops, exhibitions, informational activities throughout the country, and a wide range of resources. This year, the European Sustainable Energy Week program focused on three areas of action: energy use in the home, sustainable mobility, and the promotion of renewable energy.

At home

In the domestic sphere, emphasis is placed on the need to reduce energy consumption and improve itsefficiencyIn this regard, measures such as insulating the façade to prevent energy loss and installing a heat pump (air source heat pump) are recommended, both for heating and cooling the home and for generating hot water. Practical resources are available to citizens to optimize energy consumption and contracting, with tools such as power calculators and simulators for energy renovation measures for the home.

Electric car

Regarding mobility, the campaign invites us to rethink the way we move and supports the electric vehicle as a cleaner and more efficient alternative to combustion vehicles. The advantages are numerous, as demonstrated in the Electric Vehicle Promotion Plan 2025-2030With a charging station in our parking lot and if we recharge at night, we take advantage of the energy when it's cheapest.

In addition, maintenance costs are much lower, and, all things considered, energy savings can be around 80% compared to fuel costs. ICAEN provides an online calculator that allows everyone to compare CO₂ emissions and the costs of various vehicle options. It also offers information on charging stations, tax benefits, and shared mobility options.

Energy community

Finally, in terms of renewables, one of the central axes is the dissemination and promotion of the energy communitiesIt is a collective formula for producing, sharing, and consuming renewable energy. OROne way is, for example, to create an energy community where neighbors share the energy produced by photovoltaic solar panels, which the City Council may have installed at a public facility. Households living nearby can join this community and receive a portion of the energy generated, helping to reduce their bills and allowing them to participate in a new, more sustainable energy model.

Through the portal comunidadenergetica.cat You can learn about active initiatives and find partners, legal and technical resources, and steps to launch a local community.

Open Doors to Transition

One of the highlights of this year's European Sustainable Energy Week is the "Open Doors to the Energy Transition" initiative, which offers guided tours of renewable energy production or energy-efficient facilities located in public buildings. They open their doors so that citizens can learn firsthand how progress is being made toward a more sustainable model. These tours are accompanied by technical and educational explanations for the general public. The program also includes activities for children and the whole family, which can be found at activity map.

In Catalonia, the European Sustainable Energy Week is coordinated by the Catalan Energy Institute, with the collaboration of the Barcelona Provincial Council, the Girona Provincial Council, the Tarragona Provincial Council, the Lleida Provincial Council, the Network of Cities and Towns Towards Sustainability, the Barcelona Metropolitan Area, and the Consell d'In. The Regional Energy Transition Offices also participate, collaborating by organizing local actions and supporting the municipalities in their territories.

More information on the website icaen.gencat.cat