A new corruption scandal has erupted in Spain, potentially affecting the entire system for granting environmental permits to energy projects. At the center of attention are schemes involving multimillion-euro loans which, according to investigators, were used to bribe a high-ranking official in order to expedite permits for Forestalia. The case has sparked debate among experts and officials, as it raises concerns about transparency and oversight in the renewable energy sector.
According to a RUSSPAIN.com source, the investigation began after UCOMA (Unidad Central Operativa de Medio Ambiente) detected suspicious financial transactions between companies linked to Forestalia. Of particular note was a large loan of 5.2 million euros issued between two firms within the group. Investigators believe these funds were intended as compensation for former Deputy Director for Environmental Quality Eugenio Domínguez, who, according to the case file, facilitated favorable conclusions on environmental declarations for wind and solar energy projects.
A complex web of companies
The investigation revealed that the funds moved through a complex network of companies set up by brothers Eduardo and Roberto Pérez Águeda. They operated several entities that concealed the true nature of transactions and made it difficult to detect illegal payments. Cemsal and Babieca Investment played a central role in the scheme, with the disputed loan arranged between them. Babieca Investment, in turn, was owned by other firms, and part of its shares was registered to Eugenio Domínguez’s spouse, which helped mask the ultimate beneficiary of the funds.
Investigators note that contracts related to these operations were never officially registered and were kept in locked safes to avoid oversight by government authorities. This allowed scheme participants to remain off law enforcement’s radar for an extended period. Only after Eugenio Domínguez left the ministry in 2023 were contracts signed that formalized his involvement in companies linked to Forestalia projects.
Impact on decision-making
Investigators are focusing on how Eugenio Domínguez influenced the licensing process. According to UCOMA, he not only oversaw the preparation of documents but personally selected projects for approval. Witnesses from the ministry and the company Tragsatec confirmed that Domínguez frequently visited Forestalia’s offices and maintained close contact with its representatives. This supports the view that he played a key role in securing favorable conditions for the company.
The investigation also found that Domínguez and his spouse acquired shares in companies owning wind farms in the provinces of Zaragoza and Teruel. These shares were registered through private deals that were not publicly documented, which further complicated the work of investigators. As experts note, such schemes may also be common in other sectors that require government permits.
Impact on the industry
The exposure of this scheme has already sparked concern among energy sector representatives and government agencies. Many worry that such cases undermine trust in the permit issuance system and could lead to tighter control over financial operations within companies. At the same time, experts point out that the Forestalia case may set a precedent for rethinking procedures and increasing transparency in the fields of ecology and energy.
In recent years, Spain has already seen instances where major companies attempted to speed up the permit process through informal agreements and concealed payments. For example, in 2024, a similar investigation was launched into another energy company, which also involved complex schemes with loans and the participation of shell corporations. That case ended with stricter internal controls and new rules for checking transactions between affiliated entities.
Given the scale of the current investigation, authorities are expected to revise their approach to overseeing the issuance of environmental permits and tighten transparency requirements for financial operations in the energy sector. This could lead to new inspections and additional measures to prevent corruption in the future.
