Euskadi is testing a formula to reduce neighborhood rejection of wind farms: sharing the benefits. The pilot project is the Labraza (Álava) wind farm, with 40 MW and a 59 million euro investment, which will provide energy to 30,000 homes. For the first time, crowdlending is offered to residents, with a minimum investment of 1,000 euros and a fixed annual return of 7% over three years.
Crowdlending backed by the CNMV and immediate response 💰
Citizen financing is channeled through Fundeen, a platform authorized by the CNMV. The goal is to raise three million euros from local residents. Within just 24 hours of opening the pre-reservation on May 18, 51 investors had already covered 60% of the total. The model allows residents to directly participate in the energy development of their area, obtaining a financial return while supporting the ecological transition.
The wind no longer bothers as much if it blows with a 7% interest rate 🌬️
Until now, the profile of a resident facing a wind turbine was someone complaining about the noise and visual impact. With this offer, the profile changes: now it is an investor who looks at the horizon and, instead of seeing windmills, sees a 7% annual return guaranteed for three years. Someone should study whether the noise of the blades is better tolerated when it sounds like cold, hard cash.