Journal
ENERGIES
Volume 14, Issue 17, Pages -Publisher
MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/en14175438
Keywords
renewable energy plants; rural development; business model; energy transition; Sustainable Development Goals; rural community well-being; Agenda 2030; renewable energy landscapes; business model for sustainability; scale economies; climate change
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Funding
- FEDER/Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation-Research National Agency/_Project [CSO2017-84986-R]
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The study evaluates the contribution of local economic activities to rural development, and the impact of activities near renewable energy plants on this contribution. It found that most local economic activities are associated with renewable energy plants, creating stable employment opportunities, but face challenges in land leasing and integrating RE projects into rural development strategies.
The paper evaluates the rural development (RD) contribution of local economic activities (LEAs), whether generated or affected by the proximity of renewable energy plants (REPs). The study also informs about LEAs' role as co-players in the fight against climate change. Semi-structured research interviews have been applied to identify LEAs' BM (business model) in Andalusia, Murcia, and Catalonia, autonomous communities of Spain. Most LEAs present a BM based on the RE plant, and others do not, but they still contribute to RD, rural communities' well-being and global sustainability. Results show, first, that certain LEAs, due to their inter-connection with large REPs, can innovate and create a significant number of stable jobs. Second, land leasing to REPs allows for temporary farms' diversification, which is conditioned to its bargaining power. Third, advice on integration RE projects in RD strategies should be provided. Conclusions suggest the need for new governance to favor energy transition coherent with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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