El Guerrero de Baza, a Spanish SME in the vegetable preservation sector, successfully secured €10,000 through the EENergy programme to install photovoltaic solar panels. With the support of Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), the company developed and implemented an energy efficiency action plan aimed at reducing its dependence on grid electricity and improving sustainability.

El Guerrero de Baza S.C.A. is a small agri-food company based in Baza (Granada, Spain), operating in the vegetable preserves sector.

Like many SMEs, the company had limited prior engagement with energy efficiency practices, including:

• No previous investment in energy efficiency
• No monitoring or auditing of energy consumption
• No defined energy management strategy

Despite this, the company faced rising energy costs (approx. €6,000 annually in electricity) and relied entirely on external energy sources, with 0% renewable energy production

Thus, the company faced clear needs:

• Reduce energy costs and improve sustainability
• Identify suitable energy efficiency measures
• Access financial support to implement investments
• Receive expert guidance to structure and execute an energy plan

Therefore, the company required both technical advisory support and funding to move from low energy management maturity to implementing concrete improvements. The EEN sustainability advisor supported the company throughout the full process:

1. Needs assessment: Identification of energy efficiency gaps and opportunities
2. Energy planning: Development of a tailored action plan focused on renewable energy
3. Action plan development: Definition of a structured plan focused on installing photovoltaic panels with an estimated capacity of 11,000 kWh/year and a total investment of €10,000, that was funded by the EENergy grant
4. Application support: Guidance during the EENergy grant application process
5. End-to-end advisory: Continuous support from initial diagnosis to funding approval

The support provided by EEN and the EENergy programme led to clear results:

• €10,000 grant secured under the EENergy call to support the investment
• Installation of renewable energy system: solar panels with an estimated capacity of 11,000 kWh/year
• Coverage of around 90% of the company’s energy consumption and therefore reduction of the dependency to the grid.
• Reduction of energy consumption of more than 50%
• Significant improvement in sustainability and energy efficiency

The project enabled the company to transition from no energy management practices to a renewable-based energy model, improving both environmental and economic performance. 

“Through a structured advisory process, we supported the company from identifying its energy needs to successfully applying for funding and implementing a renewable energy solution,” says EEN Advisor Cristina Cabeza.

El Guerrero de Baza representative: “Thanks to the photovoltaic installation supported by the EENergy programme, we have reduced our electricity bill by more than 50%. This saving has been achieved even after installing new climate‑control systems for our offices and staff areas, significantly improving working conditions. The results have exceeded our expectations, and we now plan to extend these solutions to the factory’s processing area, reinforcing our commitment to energy efficiency and sustainability”