The Minister for the Ecological Transition and Sustainability, Olga García, has presented the Integrated Energy and Climate Plan for Extremadura (PEIEC). Extremadura is thus aligned both with the European Green Deal and with the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan promoted by the National Government.

The PEIEC is the planning instrument proposed by the Junta de Extremadura (the Regional Government) to contribute, from a regional perspective to the achievement of the goals determined in the Paris Agreement and in the new European Climate Law. Among other aspects, the plan will serve as a change in the energy model during the current decade with the aim of fighting against climate change and serving as a lever for economic reactivation.

Objectives of PEIEC

The measures contemplated in the PEIEC will make it possible to achieve in 2030 a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 10.03% compared to 2017, and increase by 9.8% the absorption capacity of Extremadura's sinks of greenhouse gas emissions.

The forecasts contemplate a notable increase in renewable energy consumption demanded, reaching 40.6% of renewable primary energy and 35.7% of final renewable energy. Similarly, thanks to energy efficiency, a reduction in energy consumption by 22% is expected.

The Minister for Ecological Transition and Sustainability, Olga García, affirms: “We want Extremadura to be a climate-neutral region in 2030, that is, that greenhouse gas emissions are equal to or lower than the absorptions of our natural sinks of carbon, and that 100 per cent of the energy produced in the region has a renewable origin. Currently, in Extremadura, there are 606 solar installations, occupying approximately 3,600 hectares". 

PEIEC measures

In total, the Plan includes 57 measures of a sectoral and transversal nature that will be directed to four areas of action: mitigation of climate change, adaptation, research and innovation and social activation.

Regarding energy generation, the Minister explained: "We want to achieve an increase of 10,360 MW of renewable generation, of which 8,000 MW photovoltaic, 1,500 MW thermoelectric, 660 MW wind, 196 MW in biomass combustion and 4 MW in biogas, with a storage target of 800 MW". 

On the other hand, in terms of final energy demands, it is expected that the residential sector will be able to reduce gas emissions by 23%, with some measures that want to rehabilitate up to 24,000 homes by promoting self-consumption.

Along with this, in the case of transport, the energy reduction will be 10% and also a decrease of 10%, which will in part be due to the penetration of 30,000 electric vehicles in the region.

Other benefits of the Plan

On the other hand, among the socio-economic benefits that the Plan will bring to the region, the mobilization of investments, energy savings and expected growth of the region's GDP of 4,680 million euros stand out.

The creation of up to 79,600 jobs and joint savings among all Extremadura households of up to 1,848 million euros are also expected.

Source: Junta de Extremadura 

Photo credits: Junta de Extremadura