Valencia, a major city on Spain's east coast, is pioneering an innovative approach to renewable energy.
The city has launched the "Requiem in Power" (RIP) project, an initiative that aims to transform its cemeteries into the largest urban solar farm in the country.
This ambitious project, which expands the city's sustainable energy sources without taking up new land area, is part of Valencia's 2030 Climate Mission.
Spain's RIP Project
The RIP project stands for "Requiem in Power," a fitting name that reflects its dual purpose of honoring the past while powering the future.
Launched in May 2024, the project involves installing solar panels in multiple cemeteries across Valencia. By repurposing these spaces, the city aims to generate substantial amounts of clean energy without altering the cemeteries' primary function.
Cemeteries tend to have fairly open spaces that receive decent sunlight, making them suitable locations for solar panel installations.
Valencia to Install Thousands of Solar Panels in its Cemeteries
Euronews reports that Valencia plans to install a total of 6,658 solar panels in its cemeteries. As of now, 810 panels have already been laid down in the Grau, Campanar, and Benimàmet cemeteries.
Once completed, these panels are expected to generate over 440,000 kilowatts of energy annually. This green energy initiative will also save over 140 tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year, massively reducing the city's carbon footprint.
The majority of the energy produced by the RIP project will be used to power municipal buildings, helping the city reduce its reliance on fossil fuels. Additionally, 25 percent of the generated energy will be allocated to approximately 1,000 vulnerable households.
A photo shows a part of a solar panel on a production line at the solar energy equipment supplier Systovi's factory in Carquefou, near Nantes, western France, on March 6, 2023.by SEBASTIEN SALOM-GOMIS/AFP via Getty Images
Valencia 2030 Climate Mission
The RIP project is a crucial component of the Valencia 2030 Climate Mission. This initiative aims to meet 27 percent of the city's energy demand through renewable sources by 2030.
Furthermore, the city plans to ensure that 100 percent of this clean energy is used for public infrastructure. Valencia is also transitioning to LED lighting for all public spaces, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability.
Alejandro Ramon, Valencia's Councilor for Climate Emergency and Energy Transition, has emphasized the importance of the RIP project, stating it will become the largest urban solar farm in Spain.
While Valencia's RIP project is groundbreaking, it is not the first of its kind. The concept of using cemeteries for renewable energy has been explored elsewhere.
For instance, Saint-Joachim, a cluster of islands in the Brière marsh of France, is set to install a 1.3-megawatt solar canopy over its cemetery by 2025. This project will supply electricity to 4,000 residents and include a rainwater harvesting system to mitigate flooding.
Spain's Renewable Energy Goals
Spain has set ambitious targets for renewable energy. By 2030, the country aims to achieve 74 percent renewable electricity. Between 2008 and 2023, Spain significantly increased its renewable energy share from 20.5 percent to over 50 percent.
