The Cohesion Policy POWERTY project, launched under the Interreg Europe programme, is tackling energy poverty in Torreblanca, one of Seville’s most disadvantaged neighborhoods. The project not only supports school operations but also reduces energy costs for nearby households.
New energy community in Torreblanca thanks to Interreg
- 05 May 2025
Energy poverty impacts millions of Europeans. An EU-funded cooperation project named POWERTY has been launched through the Interreg Europe programme in Torreblanca, one of Seville’s most impoverished districts.
In 2020, Torreblanca Ilumina, a local association, initiated an energy and education community focusing on solar energy adoption in collaboration with public schools. As pilot, solar panels have been installed in two primary schools, Vélez de Guevara and Principe de Asturias. They have generated 15 kilowatts of energy benefiting school activities and community households. Not only public schools but also families taking part in the energy community noted a tangible alleviation in electricity costs through the initiative. As noted by Marcos Sánchez López, Head Teacher at Vélez de Guevara, these solar panels are raising social awareness about energy conservation and climate change.
A crucial aspect of the project’s success lies in its cooperation aspect: the project encompassed cooperation between 5 European regions. Through a European network of more than fifty shared best practices, POWERTY exemplifies a successful European Union contribution in the fight against energy poverty, fostered by collaboration.
The project's impact has been recognized with several international awards.
With a budget of €1,335,118, the project is predominantly funded by the EU Cohesion Policy, covering over 83% of the costs.
For more, check out the Smart Regions episode:
https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/10/28/powerty-energising-communities-to-combat-poverty