Rest in Power

SPANISH CITY USES CEMETRIES TO GENERATE ENERGY

The city of Valencia in Spain has begun an ambitious initiative utilising its cemeteries to generate renewable power. Commencing in May 2024, when the first photovoltaic panels were installed, the project aims to install thousands more in graveyards around the city and become the largest urban solar farm in Spain.

Around 810 have already been laid down in Gray, Campanar and Benimamet cemeteries but it is planned that 6, 658 will be installed overall which will generate a total power supply of more than 440,000 kilowatts per year. According to the local council the energy will mostly be used to power municipal buildings but 25% will also go to 1,000 vulnerable households and it will also result in over 140 tons a year of carbon dioxide savings.

Valencia is strongly committed to achieving climate neutrality by 2030 and to becoming a resilient city - one of the reasons the city was selected to be the 2024 European Green Capital in January. Already 97% of the city's inhabitants live within 300 metres of green urban areas and the city also has a proven commitment to improving air quality and restoring nature, such as the Devesa dune and wetland ecosystems.