Domi Lorenzo: from darkness to the fight for energy dignity in Spain
“No cold, no darkness.” It is with the slogan “Ni fred, ni foscor” that Domi Lorenzo, a member of the Alliance Against Energy Poverty (APE) in Barcelona, Spain, sums up a struggle that began with a painful experience: living for a month and a half without electricity.
“January 5 was the date that marked my journey in the struggle. They cut off the power to my home and, in addition, removed the electricity meter. The company, Endesa (which controls Enel in Brazil), demanded €600 to reconnect the service. I refused to pay, and that’s when I started to fight. And I continue to this day,” says Domi Lorenzo during our conversation at the People’s Summit taking place in Brazil.
The activist began her career in social struggles in defense of housing through the Platform for People Affected by Mortgages (PAH). In 2014, with the creation of APE, she found a new space to channel her outrage at the injustices of the Spanish energy system. Since then, she has dedicated herself to defending vulnerable families who face the risk of losing access to electricity, water, and gas. “Our goal is simple and vital: no family should be without basic services. Energy, water, and gas are not commodities, they are rights,” she says.
APE’s work combines dialogue with companies and public administrations, but also mobilizations and direct action. “When we are not heard, we peacefully occupy the offices of Endesa, the water company, or the gas company. We go in, sing, dance, and wait until we are attended to. Never violently, always with dignity,” points out the activist.
Among the organization’s most notable achievements is the Popular Legislative Initiative (ILP), which resulted in Law 24/2015, unanimously approved by the Parliament of Catalonia. “It was a big step. This law ensures that vulnerable families do not have their services cut off, as long as they are registered and regularized,” celebrates Domi.
Born in a small village in Huelva, in southern Spain, and raised in Catalonia since her first year of life, Domi is well aware of the country’s contradictions. “Companies control everything. Privatization is almost total, and the state protects large corporations, not families. Here, the energy transition is not fair because it does not take people into account. Tariffs are rising more and more, and many families cannot pay their bills,” she denounces.
Domi believes that feminism and social struggle go hand in hand because “equality is what should guide all battles.” Our struggle is also feminist. In our assemblies, 90% of the participants are women. We are the ones who run the household, who worry about paying the bills and providing for our families. It is natural that we are on the front line,” she explains.
When she talks about her inspirations, her eyes light up as she recalls a Brazilian companion she is keen to introduce. “Patrícia, from São Paulo, is an incredible woman. A single mother, she has been involved with MAB for five years. She is a woman with determination and strength. I met her last year and was deeply inspired by her courage.”
Despite the fatigue and difficulties, Domi remains driven by a clear purpose. “My main goal is that no one goes through what my family went through. Living without electricity, water, or gas is not dignified. It is a right that we must defend.”
At the IV International Meeting of People Affected by Dams and Climate Crisis, held in Belém do Pará, Brazilian Amazon, Domi shared experiences with movements from around the world. “It’s wonderful. I take with me the lessons learned about how other people fight, what their problems are, and how they organize themselves. Now I want to take all of this to our assemblies and further strengthen our struggle.”
For her, international solidarity is a fundamental principle and leaves a message that reverberates like a collective shout:
“Most movements are very supportive. We are connected through networks, supporting each other. This is what all countries should do. A united struggle will never be defeated. We must stand together, as citizens, to guarantee our rights. No cold, no darkness!” concludes Domi.
