- Today, the Mayor of Granada and the Director of Endesa for Andalusia, Extremadura, Ceuta, and Melilla presented the action protocol.
- eCityGranada will enable the implementation of urban planning and adaptation measures under the iQuantum project. This way, it enhances Granada's resilience to climate change and establishes it as a leader in urban sustainability.
- Endesa will contribute its technical expertise, gained from other eCity projects, to transform the neighbourhood into a sustainable, decarbonised, and digitalised urban area aligned with the European Urban Agenda, the 2030 Energy and Climate goals, and the United Nations' climate and energy commitments for 2050.
The Los Pajaritos neighbourhood will become an urban laboratory showcasing the transformative potential of AI and sustainability. This project will be in line with the European Union's Urban Agenda and the priorities outlined in the 2016 Pact of Amsterdam.
eCityGranada is born with this vision: it aims to address major urban challenges from a local perspective, focusing on issues such as adaptation to climate change , improving air quality, circular economy, and restoring biodiversity through nature-based solutions and sustainable mobility.
eCityGranada will be integrated into the iQuantum project—the Urban Demonstration Centre for Artificial Intelligence—to create an innovative urban ecosystem centred around AI and quantum computing to solve sustainability challenges. This space, which will be climate-neutral and intelligent, aims to make this area of the city a benchmark for innovation and technological development.
In this context, the Mayor of Granada, Marifrán Carazo, and the Director of Endesa for Andalusia, Extremadura, Ceuta, and Melilla, Rafael Sánchez Durán, along with Vito Epíscopo, Councillor for Human Resources, Organisation, Smart City, Digitalisation, and Innovation, publicly introduced the collaboration agreement that will be signed between the two institutions.
According to Rafael Sánchez Durán, ‘This project joins the catalogue of eCity initiatives, with the added value of being developed in a residential and community space like the Los Pajaritos neighbourhood. This will transform it into a model of urban sustainability powered by advanced digital technologies such as AI and quantum computing. Therefore, this transformation will directly benefit citizens, improving their quality of life and positioning Granada as a leader in digital innovation for urban sustainability.’
He also emphasised that ‘Endesa will provide sustainable energy solutions and technical advice on the urban agenda. It will also apply its experience from eCity projects in cities like Seville and Malaga. That way, it will contribute to the development of the AI hub planned for the area, promoting the circular economy, renewable energy, building efficiency, and sustainable mobility. The integration of AI will enhance the management of power grids, renewable generation, and energy storage, strengthening Granada's ability to adapt to climate change.’
The Mayor stated, ‘Today we present the general collaboration protocol for eCityGranada 2024-2028, an ambitious project based on a strategic agreement between the City Council of Granada and Endesa. This agreement strengthens the public-private collaboration we need to tackle major challenges and represents a firm commitment to the present and future of our city.’
She added that the eCityGranada project aims to transform the Los Pajaritos neighbourhood into a digital, decarbonised, and sustainable urban environment. It will become a space where AI and quantum computing are integrated to improve the quality of life for our citizens and position Granada as a leader in digital innovation. This Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Computing Technology Hub will be a driving force for change, revitalising the urban environment and generating unprecedented economic and social momentum throughout the city.
eCityGranada: urban energy transition and AI
The agreement between the City Council and Endesa, valid for four years and without specific financial commitment, is structured around three key technical areas: AI and quantum computing, energy and buildings, and mobility and urban spaces. Specific project agreements will be developed for these areas.
The agreement lays the foundation for developing a master plan, which includes:
With these elements, eCityGranada will have an integrated vision combining technological innovation, environmental sustainability, and a responsible production and consumption model, making it the first residential space in Spain to apply this vision through AI and digitalisation.
The project will involve close collaboration between the signatory institutions and the local ecosystem, made up of tech companies, universities, and bodies. A technical office will be created to manage and coordinate activities related to energy, transportation, circular economy, and public space digitalisation, always focusing on the citizens.
About Endesa
Endesa is a leading electric company in Spain and the second-largest in Portugal. Additionally, it is the second largest gas operator in the Spanish market. It operates an integrated business that comprises electricity generation, distribution, and commercialisation. As one of the main operators of charging points in Spain, Endesa also offers electric mobility services, along with other value-added services aimed at electrifying energy uses at homes, businesses, industries, and public administrations. Endesa is firmly committed to the United Nations’ SDGs and actively promotes the development of renewable energies through Enel Green Power España, digitalisation of grids via e-distribution, and corporate social responsibility. In the latter area, we also work through the Endesa Foundation. Our team comprises around 9,000 employees. Endesa is part of Enel, the largest electric group in Europe.