Introduction
The Municipality of Vedra is located in the region of Val do Ulla, in the south of the province of A Coruña, on the geographical border with the province of Pontevedra and 16 kilometres from the provincial capital. It is an inland territory with 5,000 inhabitants and a surface area of 52.78 square kilometres. According to the Galician Institute of Statistics, it has a degree of urbanisation as a sparsely populated area.
It is part of Terras de Compostela Rural Development Group (RDG19).
Population and demographic structure
The population of Vedra registered a continuous loss of inhabitants in the period from 1991 to 2022, showing a decrease of 0.91%, from 5,051 inhabitants in 1991 to 5,005 inhabitants in 2022.
From 2012 to 2022 there was a population decline of -0.75%, with a relative slowdown in the rate of population loss, with years of population decline alternating with years of some recovery. The age group of people under 64 years of age decreased significantly, while the population over 64 years of age grew by 23%. The age group of people of working age had decreased by -9%, which translated into a loss of 300 people of working age. People over 64 years of age increased by almost 20% and the young population, under 16 years of age, also increased by 7%.
This demographic ageing, and the significant loss of the working-age population, was reflected in the narrowing of the base of the population pyramid and the increase in the average age. The average age of the inhabitants of Vedra in 2022 reached 48 years. Women had a higher average age than men, 51 years for women and about 47 for men.
The Total Dependency Ratio (TDR) in Vedra reached 64.10% in 2022, after a continuous increase since 2006. This significant increase was very similar to that recorded in the province and in Galicia as a whole, which confirmed the demographic decline and ageing of the population in the municipality, with important social, economic, and cultural consequences.
Economy
The evolution of Gross Disposable Product (GDP) followed the same growth trend as that of all Galician municipalities and the province of A Coruña. After an initial decline between 2010 and 2012, it continued to increase until 2020, where it decreased by -9.4% in the municipality, registering a greater impact than that suffered in Galicia (-7.7%) and A Coruña (-10.5%). This was the province with the greatest decrease in Galicia.
The Gross Disposable Income (GDI) showed the same growth trend as the whole of Galicia and the province, but higher with 23.81%, compared to 13% and 15% recorded in Galicia and A Coruña in the period between 2002 and 2019. The growth made it possible to reduce the gap between average household incomes in Galicia, A Coruña and Vedra, reaching 15,890 euros per inhabitant in this locality in 2019.
In 2020, Vedra presented an increase in income of 2.81%, showing great resistance to the economic crisis, to reach an income of 16,340 euros.
Using the register of social security affiliations as an estimate of municipal employment, between 2011 and 2022, Vedra experienced an increase of 8.81%. When analysed by sector, the primary sector decreased by -23.6%. The secondary sector recorded a slight increase of 1.1%. The tertiary sector increased by between 14 and 17%.
In 2022, Vedra had an activity rate of 72%. The unemployment rate drops from 15.5% in 2011 to 6.6% in 2022. This reduction is not only due to an increase in the number of employed people, but also to an increase in the inactive population.
Energy resources
Vedra has two photovoltaic electricity production facilities in operation, with a total installed power of 34.8 kW, distributed as follows: 15 and 19,8 kW. The second largest installation, mentioned in second place, was registered in February 2007, while the first one, with the smallest installed power, was registered in September 2008. Nevertheless, diversification of renewable energy sources is essential to strengthen the energy resilience of the municipality and maximise its economic potential. The expansion of other forms of renewable energy, such as solar, hydroelectric or biomass, would not only help to reduce dependence on a single source, but could also generate new economic and employment opportunities in the area.
The electricity consumption of Vedra in 2023 was 9,891.11 MWh. Residential consumption was 6,635.79 MWh. The consumption of services, including municipal services, was 2,649.96 MWh. Industry consumed 605.36 MWh.
Energy Policy Councils
Date of the first meeting:
7th MArch 2024
Number of participants:
35 people
Profile of participants:
- Staff of the municipality of Vedra: mayor
- EC4RURAL project staff: UVIGO, ESPAZOCOOP, FEGAMP
- Citizens
Evaluation of the energy situation
The Mayor expressed the interest in participating fully in the Energy Community and said that he would make the Council’s roof available for the installation of energy generation. He also said that the council had already carried out a study on the possible roofs that could be used.
Dialogue between the parties
During the meeting there was an open dialogue between all participants on the development of the Energy Community. The possibility of including individual self-consumption systems in the future Energy Community was discussed.
The possible legal forms that would give life to this Energy Community were discussed: the association or the cooperative.
The issue of surpluses is addressed, as several attendees expressed doubts.
Conclusions
Stakeholders in the development of the energy community will meet in the coming weeks to discuss progress. The Local Energy Council was established.