The municipal swimming pool in Xàbia, one of the most used sports facilities in the municipality, had suffered from a problem since its inauguration that many residents suspected: Electricity consumption was very high and completely dependent on the grid.a reality that contrasts with the Boosting photovoltaic solar energy in SpainFor air-conditioned equipment in almost continuous use, the electricity bill became a very significant fixed expense for the City Council.
To correct this situation, the council has given the green light to the Installation of a photovoltaic plant on the roof of the swimming pool located on Avenida dels FursWith this action, the solar energy generated will be used for the self-consumption of the facility itself, easing the burden on municipal coffers and fitting perfectly into the local strategy for energy transition and emissions reduction.
A key project to reduce the energy cost of the swimming pool
The new solar plant aims to address one of the main shortcomings identified in the infrastructure: the total absence of own energy generation, which highlights the advantages of distributed solar energyUntil now, the entire supply came from the conventional electricity grid, something especially burdensome in a heated swimming pool, where the pumping, heating and water treatment equipment operates practically without rest.
The Xàbia Town Council frames this intervention within its energy efficiency policy and optimization of public spendingUnderstanding that every kilowatt saved on electricity bills thanks to solar power translates into resources available for other municipal services, as examples of self-consumption in public buildingsFurthermore, the project responds to the growing social demand for more sustainable solutions in public facilities.
The city council emphasizes that the action not only provides economic relief, but also It corrects a design flaw in the municipal swimming pool.Since its initial design did not foresee any renewable energy support system, despite being a high-consumption infrastructure in a municipality with abundant solar radiation throughout the year, something that coincides with the social demand for photovoltaic solar energy.
The decision to invest in a photovoltaic plant also fits with the trends that are consolidating in Spain and Europe, where The roofs of public buildings are increasingly being used to produce renewable energyIn the case of Xàbia, a self-consumption model with zero injection has been chosen, specifically designed to cover the internal demand of the swimming pool and aligned with the concept of 24/7 self-consumption.
Technical specifications: 228 panels and 100 kW nominal power
The awarded contract includes the Installation of a 100 kW nominal power photovoltaic generating systemDesigned to operate in self-consumption mode without feeding into the grid (known as a zero injection system). This means that all the energy generated will be consumed directly in the pool, with no surplus being released to the outside, similar to other systems. municipal photovoltaic projects.
The plant will consist of 228 photovoltaic modules, with a total peak power of 114 kWpThe panels are mounted on the roof of the municipal swimming pool building in Xàbia. Along with the panels, the project includes inverters, support structures, cabling, and all the equipment necessary for connection to the building's internal network.
This sizing has been proposed so that a very significant part of the pool's electricity demand is covered by solar productionespecially during the middle of the day, when radiation is more intense and the sports facility maintains a high level of activity.
As it is a self-consumption system without discharge, the control and safety elements will also be installed. They prevent surplus energy from being injected into the main grid.In this way, current regulations are met and administrative procedures are simplified, prioritizing the internal use of the electricity generated.
This entire system will be integrated into the existing infrastructure, so that The pool's internal network will combine solar power with the electricity company's supply.minimizing reliance on the latter whenever there is sufficient sunlight.
Economic data: strong competition and a large discount on the initial budget
From an economic point of view, the photovoltaic plant project at the municipal swimming pool in Xàbia is also noteworthy. The base bid price was 137.620,97 euros including VAT, a figure in line with this type of installation in public buildings.
Those who attended the meeting 29 companies specializing in solar installations and energy efficiencyThis reflects the sector's interest in these types of municipal projects. This high level of participation has fostered intense competition, resulting in a significant reduction compared to the initial estimate.
Finally, the City Council has awarded the contract for a little over 58.000 euros, VAT included (around 58.000-58.500 euros, according to various official communications), which represents a reduction of more than 50% compared to the planned budget. The city council has described this figure as “a significant cost optimization” in relation to the initial calculation.
The bidding process and the awarding of the contract to one of the participating companies have generated some debate about the balance between the significant cost savings achieved and the necessary guarantees in a project of a technical natureHowever, the City Council maintains that the usual public procurement procedures have been followed and that the project meets the necessary requirements for its successful execution.
In any case, the savings achieved in the award, combined with the forecast of reduce the pool's electricity bill over the next few yearsThis makes this photovoltaic plant an operation with the potential for a significant economic return for Xàbia.
Local energy transition and alignment with the European strategy
Beyond the figures, the municipal swimming pool project is considered one more piece within the Xàbia City Council's energy transition strategyThe idea is to gradually reduce dependence on fossil fuels in public facilities and move towards a more self-sufficient model, supported by solar energy.
This action aligns with the guidelines set at the European level, which promote that Municipal buildings and public services should take advantage of their rooftops to generate renewable energy.In Spain, many Mediterranean towns are following a similar path, taking advantage of their high solar radiation to reduce emissions and current expenditure.
In the specific case of Xàbia, the City Council highlights that the swimming pool project This will help reduce emissions associated with the facility's electricity consumption.by replacing some of the energy from the grid with its own photovoltaic generation. Although the CO₂ reduction calculations have not been publicly detailed, the combination of installed capacity and high usage level points to a significant environmental impact.
The initiative also comes at a time when electricity costs have been highly volatile in recent years. Having a system that produces energy at the point of consumptionThe municipal swimming pool gains some protection against electricity price increases, something especially relevant for local budgets.
Furthermore, the fact that such a visible facility for the public incorporates solar energy has an exemplary component: Residents can see firsthand how photovoltaics are applied to a public serviceThis often encourages more individuals and companies to consider investing in self-consumption in their own properties.
Impact on residents and future of the municipal swimming pool
On a daily basis, users of the Xàbia municipal swimming pool will likely not notice drastic changes in service once the photovoltaic plant is operational. Water heating, ambient temperature, and opening hours will remain the same, but The cost of keeping all of that running will be lower for the City Council..
That energy saving has the potential to translate, in the medium term, into greater stability of usage fees, improvements in maintenance or even in additional investments in the sports facility itself. Although the city council has not yet specified how the freed-up funds will be reinvested, it has made it clear that the goal is to contain the impact of the electricity bill on municipal finances.
The project could also pave the way for future projects in other public buildings in Xàbia, such as schools, additional sports facilities, or administrative offices. If the experience with the swimming pool proves good technical performance and significant cost savingsIt is expected that the model will be replicated on other municipal roofs.
In any case, the decision to equip such an energy-intensive infrastructure as a heated swimming pool with solar power sends a clear message: Local authorities can play a leading role in adapting the energy system, starting with their own buildings.
With the contract awarded and the technical design finalized, the photovoltaic plant at the Xàbia municipal swimming pool is shaping up to be a project that combines Relief from public spending, reduction of emissions and use of a resource as commonplace as the sunThis is another step in the modernization of local services, which, if managed rigorously, can become a benchmark for other municipalities considering similar solutions for their sports and intensive use facilities.
