The CEL RURAL initiative in which the University of Algarve participates with the Pilot of the Renewable Energy Community of Ilha da Culatra was awarded an international award

The CEL RURAL initiative won the 2025 European Roger Léron Award for Innovation in the Energy Transition for the work developed on technological solutions for intelligent energy management.

Coordinated at the University of Algarve UAlg by Professor Jânio Miguel Ferreira Monteiro (ISE), CEL RURAL aims to promote the implementation of renewable energies at the rural level to strengthen the development of a sustainable and local energy system in the cross-border regions of the POCTEP space through the adoption of innovative models of shared energy self-consumption in the field of local energy communities (CEL).

In addition to the Culatra 2030 - Sustainable Energy Community pilot, led by C-COOP (Cooperative for the Sustainable Development of Culatra Island), the project also has three other pilots, two in Spain, in Xermade (Lugo) and Fontiveros (Ávila) and one in Vilaverde, Braga, Portugal, which will integrate the technology developed by the group of partners. These solutions are currently being tested in several laboratories in both countries.

The Roger Léron Award recognises individuals and projects leading climate and energy action at local level across Europe and is awarded by the European Federation of Energy and Environment Agencies and Regions, FEDARENE.

The CEL RURAL project, which is entitled "Development of pilot actions for the promotion of local energy communities in rural environments of the POCTEP space" is funded by the European Union, under the ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) and Interreg VI-A Spain – Portugal (POCTEP) 2021-2027 programs.

More at: https://fedarene.org/cel-rural/