Iberdrola España transforms Torre Efisa into an icon of energy efficiency in A Coruña
- The iconic building complex has already reduced its heating needs by more than 75%
- The completion ceremony, chaired by A Coruña's mayor, Inés Rey García, was attended by the Minister of Housing, María Martínez Allegue, and various representatives from the energy company
Iberdrola España has completed the energy rehabilitation works at the iconic Torre Efisa in A Coruña, a complex of seven buildings housing 181 residential units and 72 commercial spaces. The completion ceremony was attended by A Coruña’s mayor, Inés Rey García, who closed the event, along with María Martínez Allegue, the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Planning, and Begoña Freire Vázquez, the regional director of the Housing Ministry in A Coruña. The energy company was represented by Francisco Silva Castaño, the institutional delegate in Galicia, Borja Cancela Blasco, the commercial manager for the region, Víctor Carballo Collado, the head of Smart Clima, and Vanessa Castro Jiménez, the head of Rehabilitation.
The project, one of the most significant launched by Iberdrola España in the country to date, included the insulation and renovation of facades and roofs, as well as the electrification of heating and hot water systems. The old gas boilers were replaced by heat pumps and new condensation units, which, together with a self-consumption system featuring 209 photovoltaic panels (55 on the roofs and 154 on the facades, creating a novel vertical garden design), will reduce heating demand by more than 75% and cut CO₂ emissions by 90%.
Cleaner and more sustainable cities
The renovation also required the installation of a new electrical system connecting the entire complex, as well as provisions for electric vehicle charging points in the garage. Meter rooms were refurbished, and the hydraulic infrastructure was renewed, incorporating individual metering for heating and hot water in the homes. The entire electrical link was replaced with a new system for shared self-consumption among the property owners, and another system without excess production for the new aerothermal installation.
During his speech, Borja Cancela emphasized that “energy efficiency is currently the best and most cost-effective solution, both for family economies and for environmental protection. Actions like the one carried out in A Coruña help reduce emissions, improve air quality, and move toward cleaner, more sustainable cities. At Iberdrola España, we are clear that self-consumption is a key tool in the path towards a more sustainable, efficient, and independent energy model."
For her part, the Minister of Housing highlighted the Xunta's collaboration in this project to "achieve an efficient and sustainable building" and noted that Torre Efisa "received funding for energy efficiency improvements through the regional government using Next Generation funds." Allegue added that "between 2022 and 2024, the Xunta processed more than 750 grants in Galicia for similar projects, benefiting 9,500 homes. With this transformation, the residential complex achieves another milestone in its long history as a city landmark" through "technical solutions that are statements of principles and essential steps toward a more environmentally respectful model. The future is built with responsibility, innovation, and collective commitment," she concluded.
Finally, Inés Rey, the mayor of A Coruña, who closed the event, emphasized that "Torre Efisa is one of the city's great symbols of vertical architecture, and the work carried out in terms of energy rehabilitation is very important for gaining efficiency and sustainability. It is a commitment we share from the municipal government because we understand that improving the comfort and quality of life for our residents is fundamental." Inés Rey also recalled that this year, "the City Council launched a €5 million fund to co-finance energy rehabilitation projects in residential blocks across various districts of the city."
A total of €7.5 million was required to make this project a reality, of which €4.6 million were managed by the Xunta de Galicia through Next Generation funds, and €0.2 million came from additional discounts in CAEs. It is estimated that an average household, with an annual expenditure of €1,400, will be able to reduce its consumption by approximately €700, achieving savings of up to 50%. The project was recognized in the Galicia Energy Awards 2022 for its innovation and energy efficiency.
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