Iberdrola España and Cooperativas Agro-alimentarias Castilla-La Mancha committed to decarbonisation and sustainability in the region's agri-food sector
- A conference in Tomelloso highlighted the need for electrification to boost competitiveness in rural areas
- ATuAire, an Iberdrola España subsidiary, discussed the benefits of heat electrification for Castilian-Manchego business models, saving up to 40%
Iberdrola España took part in a conference in Tomelloso today organised by Cooperativas Agro-alimentarias Castilla-La Mancha at the Regional Institute for Agri-Food and Forestry Research and Development of Castilla-La Mancha (IRIAF) in Tomelloso. The conference, entitled ‘Efficient and Competitive Solutions for Decarbonisation‘, was aimed at technical and management staff from affiliated cooperatives.
The opening ceremony was attended by the president of Cooperativas Agro-alimentarias Castilla-La Mancha, Ángel Villafranca, the organisation's managing director, Juan Miguel del Real, and Iberdrola España's representative in Castilla-La Mancha, Óscar Narros.
This conference’s aim was to discuss sustainable energy solutions that promote and encourage the adoption of measures to save resources, reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency in cooperatives and agri-food industries with experts and managers from different departments related to clean energy at Iberdrola España and its subsidiary ATuAire. The need for electrification to ensure competitiveness in rural areas was stressed.
During the session, which was attended by around 50 professionals from the cooperative sector in Castilla-La Mancha, topics such as energy saving certificates, investments in solar energy communities and charging points for electric vehicles and heat pumps for buildings were discussed.
Towards a more sustainable cooperative model
The President of Cooperativas Agro-alimentarias Castilla-La Mancha, Ángel Villafranca, highlighted Iberdrola España's collaboration to advance towards a more sustainable cooperative model. He added that the aim is to achieve a transition to modern cooperativism that integrates clean energy while maintaining the competitiveness of the production process.
At the same time, Villafranca pointed out that with this event, Cooperativas Agro-alimentarias Castilla-La Mancha aims to raise awareness of the importance of adopting sustainable practices to “remain at the forefront of innovation”.
Óscar Narros emphasised “the significant role of cooperativism in our region, with more than 450 agri-food cooperatives and over 160,000 members, representing a key pillar in the economic and social development of Castilla-La Mancha and its commitment to rural areas and the environment”. In this regard, he highlighted that “the collaboration between Iberdrola España and the cooperative movement opens a new stage of opportunities, where energy innovation and sustainability are at the service of rural areas”.
Energy saving certificates
Energy Saving Certificates were among the topics discussed. According to Marina Maestro, Head of CAE Management at Iberdrola España, they are an effective tool for reducing energy efficiency investment costs in agri-food cooperatives. Iberdrola España explained how it handles them end-to-end, allowing companies and cooperatives to recover part or all of the investment cost, and even generate profits. The projects that can benefit from the certificate system range widely, such as boiler replacement, aerothermal installation and insulation improvements. Each kilowatt/hour saved becomes an economic asset that helps finance the energy transition.
ATuAire: air conditioning solutions based on aerothermal energy
‘Decarbonisation doesn’t mean spending more, it means spending better. At Iberdrola España, we offer turnkey models that include technology, financing and maintenance so the customer doesn’t need to make an initial investment’, said Jesús Fernández, Director of Key Accounts at ATuAire. These projects are 100% financed, with payment made in instalments, using subsidies and certificate sales.
In his talk, Jesús Fernández highlighted the company's commitment to rural development and sustainability in the primary sector: ‘The decarbonisation of cooperatives and the agro-industrial fabric is key to ensuring their long-term competitiveness’.
Self-consumption solutions in cooperatives: solar communities
‘Photovoltaic self-consumption and solar communities are a real opportunity for the agri-food sector, especially in cooperatives and small industries, generating energy savings and clean energy’, said Iberdrola's Head of Smart Solar Residential and SME Products, Andrés Carnero.
Transport and sustainable mobility
Santiago Blanco, Head of Smart Mobility, also addressed electric mobility in the conference as an essential vector for decarbonisation. In the industrial and cooperative sphere, Iberdrola offered examples of fleet electrification, smart charging points and agreements with manufacturers to integrate sustainable logistics.
Case studies in energy-efficient housing renovation
Last but not least, Isabel Llorente, Head of Product Clima Residencial, presented Iberdrola's case studies in comprehensive energy renovation in homes and residential buildings through efficient air conditioning solutions (aerothermal energy, insulation and smart control). The results are a 70% reduction in energy consumption and a more than 70% decrease in CO₂ emissions, with substantial improvements in thermal comfort. Projects are already underway in Castilla-La Mancha in homes and neighbourhood communities with very positive results.
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