THE BEST FINANCE NEWS ON PAGES 14 - 17 Issue No. 1899 25 Nov - 1 Dec 2021
ONE of the big problems facing countries around the world is where best to site solar panels to cause the least disruption and the greatest gathering of energy. It is very difficult in large urban settings but in India they have come up with the concept of placing roofs of solar panels over the very large networks of irrigation canals which criss cross the country. Now the Consell de Mallorca has come up with a similar concept but this time is seriously considering building similar roofs, albeit at a greater height, above country roads which will be maintained to a higher standard than before. Having banned the use of herbicides on these roads some time ago, the Government has spent a year reviewing and analysing the possibility of taking the next step to sustainability, which will therefore be a start to making roads a suitable space for renewable energy, thus giving a respite to the rustic soil, while collaborating with the IBE to lower the cost of electricity on Mallorca. According to the Council’s feasibility study, the total investment in the plan for Mallorca would be between €100 and €150 million which could be financed by NextGen funds based on the aid published and in future, more lines of finance from the fund. In addition, it would generate sufficient power for Mallorca of between 100 and 150 MW, the equivalent of the consumption of 30,000 and 45,000 families and could mean a 5 per cent increase in renewable energy in the Balearics, as well as generating a surplus of energy. The Plan should start to become a reality next year with the placing of solar panels above the Genoa tunnel which gives easy and safe access to install and maintain.
NO GENDER VIOLENCE Credit: Balearic Government
Innovative solar power
MALLORCA • WWW.EUROWEEKLYNEWS.COM
GOVERNMENT: Supported the commemoration of November 25.
THE Government of the Balearic Islands supported the commemoration of November 25, as Internation‐ al Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. This year the Government proposed that the whole of society be involved in the fight against sexist violence, that neutrality and equidis‐ tance be ended and that ev‐ eryone stand up to this scourge, under the slogan ‘Enough neutrality in the face of sexist violence, Face it!’ The main event was a minute of silence, in front of the Consulate, in memory of all the murdered women, victims of gender‐based vio‐ lence, and in support of all women who suffer this type of violence.
With the memory of the sexist murders of Warda and Elena still in the collective memory, as well as of the 41 murdered women, victims of sexist violence, known since records commenced, the Government reiterated its commitment to prevention, detection and the eradica‐ tion of gender‐based vio‐ lence and reparation for harm to victims. To fight this scourge and promote its eradication, the Balearic Women’s Institute IBDONA has a total budget for 2022 of €6,733,407, an in‐ crease of 14.9 per cent over last year. In relation to policies against gender‐based vio‐ lence, €4,349,500 will be allo‐ cated to various programmes and personalised plans will
be made for vulnerable women, so from January 2, 2022, a 24‐hour telephone and telematic care service and face‐to‐face support for deaf women will be incorpo‐ rated at a cost of €775,500. In the field of prevention, the role of education in schools is essential. Current‐ ly, the Government has 224 co‐education officers in schools and has incorporated the principle of co‐education in 107 schools, with a total of 534 teachers having also joined. IBDONA will offer an es‐ cort service to hospital for any injured woman and this service will be available 365 days a year, with telephone support and also in person in case a complaint has to be lodged.
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Tourism tax WHEN it was introduced, the sustainable tourism tax was criticised by many who thought that it would result in a drop in the number of visitors and was basically unfair. The counter argument was that tourists whilst contributing generally to the economy do add additional burdens to the infrastructure of the islands and therefore it is only right that they should pay the tax to keep the islands attractive for visitors and residents alike. There was an understanding that money received from this tax would be used to support agriculture, culture, environment, monuments and social housing alongside other important local needs. There is now a significant fall out between the Balearic Government and the opposition parties who believe the tax has been effectively hijacked in order to allow for sporting and music events to be financed which have no direct connection with the culture of the islands. The explanation from Government is it needs to reactivate the economy, especially in the autumn and by encouraging stars like Ed Sheeran to take part in the Los 40 Principales awards, the Government was raising international awareness and generating income long term.