The City Council and the CZFB ally to install solar panels on industrial roofs

The Barcelona City Council and the Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona (CZFB) have signed an agreement to promote the generation of photovoltaic energy in the industrial park, with the aim of reducing the use of fossil fuels and promoting a more sustainable model. The agreement will consist of facilitating the placement of photovoltaic panels in the Zona Franca, advising interested companies and putting them in contact with operators who can install them.

A total of two million square meters is the available surface area in the Zona Franca that can be allocated to this use. In addition to facilitating the installation of solar panels, the CZFB will begin to include the photovoltaic generation clause in the plot lease contracts signed in the industrial park. On the other hand, the City Council will offer technical support and economic incentives to develop these installations, such as a 30% IBI bonus for three years for industrial properties that install panels or the public-private collaboration program MESBarcelona.

Specifically, this agreement is complemented by initiatives being promoted by the municipal government such as MESBarcelona. This is a financial investment mechanism through which the City Council will allocate 50 million euros to projects presented by companies with experience in investing in photovoltaics and energy rehabilitation, which are expected to dedicate a minimum of 116 million euros. Currently, Enerparking, Iberdrola, Acelera Energía, Naturgy, Suma Capital, Endesa X, ACSA and SI Capital are the approved companies in this program. More are expected to join before the end of 2021.

When selecting projects, the council requires that the installation does not require co-financing from building owners and that the municipal budget never exceeds 30% of the total of each operation. Investors, both public and private, assume 100% of the budget and recover it thanks to the energy generated.

Recently, the City Council has announced the first investment by MESBarcelona, worth 12.5 million euros. It will focus on installing solar panels on industrial buildings and offices. It is planned to do so on the roofs of Mercabarna buildings, allowing energy to be offered at competitive prices to SMEs operating in the wholesale market. This first package also includes actions on the roofs of different TMB depots and industrial buildings in the Zona Franca.