COAGRI creates the first Renewable Energy Community in the wholesale distribution sector in Italy, also thanks to the support of the Jessica Sardegna 2 Fund, the financial instrument promoted by the EIB and co-managed by Banco di Sardegna and Sinloc
COAGRI, the cooperative society supported by commercial and agricultural companies of the Agro-food Center of Sardinia, has launched an ambitious project to reduce energy costs related to the lighting and cooling of the refrigerators in the operators’ market boxes. This initiative led to the creation of the Renewable Energy Community (REC) “Via del Sole,” a significant milestone for the sector. In 2023, COAGRI installed a 900 KWp photovoltaic system on the roof of the fruit and vegetable market in Sestu (CA), allowing a 20% reduction in energy costs for the approximately 70 market operators and generating estimated benefits of around 3 million euros. This makes COAGRI the first wholesale structure in Italy to establish a renewable energy community.
The role of the Jessica Sardegna 2 Fund
The project was made possible thanks to the support of the Jessica Sardegna 2 Fund, an innovative financial tool created to support sustainable development and energy efficiency initiatives in the region. The Jessica Fund (Joint European Support for Sustainable Investment in City Areas) is an initiative of the European Commission and the European Investment Bank (EIB), aiming to promote sustainable investments in urban areas by leveraging both public and private resources.
The Jessica Sardegna 2 Fund provided crucial financing for the photovoltaic system and the renewable energy community. This was combined with a contribution from COAGRI, which invested 5% of liquidity, and with additional bank financing, ensuring complete financial coverage for the investment.
Sinloc played a key role in ensuring the success of the project by verifying the bankability and financial viability of the COAGRI cooperative. Through an in-depth analysis of the economic, financial, and procedural feasibility, Sinloc structured the necessary financing, ensuring refinancing through the Jessica Sardegna 2 Fund.
This initiative marks an important step toward energy transition and offers a replicable model for other organizations in the agro-food sector.
