The Municipality of Cuenca has benefited from the REPIC program of the Swiss government to: 1) design and implement a local energy strategy and 2) implement a demonstration project for photovoltaic solar energy in La Libertad Park, aiming to reduce the municipality's energy expenditure and highlight the positive effects of these technologies in the city.

Cuenca is the third most populous city in Ecuador and has experienced accelerated demographic growth in the last decade, which presents significant challenges in energy supply and climate action towards sustainable development. In this regard, the Energy City initiative, an adaptation of the Swiss-origin tool “Energiestadt,” has proven to be an effective management and energy planning instrument that aligns with the needs of Latin American cities.

EBP Chile, the Latin American Future Foundation (FFLA), the Ecuadorian Association of Renewable Energies and Energy Efficiency (AEEREE), and the University of Cuenca formed a team to work alongside the Cuenca mayor's office and other relevant local stakeholders to implement the Energy Cities methodology, which identifies alternatives and projects that improve the quality of life for its residents and foster a culture that promotes decentralized energy generation, enhancing energy efficiency and integrating local renewable resources into the development model.

The ultimate goal of the project is to promote Cuenca as the first “Energy City” in Ecuador, joining a network of over 1,500 cities in Europe, North Africa, and Latin America.