The Catalan authorities have announced a large-scale plan to develop renewable energy sources. By 2027, the region aims to officially allocate 1.2% of its territory for the construction of new wind and solar power plants. This move is part of a long-term strategy to transition to clean energy and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Preliminary estimates suggest this involves 383 square kilometers to be divided among municipalities. Special attention is being given to areas with the highest potential for such projects, such as Empordà, La Noguera, and Terra Alta. Each municipality will receive a capacity quota that must be fulfilled by 2050. Existing generation, for example solar panels on public building rooftops, will also be taken into account.
How the new plan will work
The plan allows each municipality to independently decide which sites to use for the projects. However, the total capacity required will be strictly regulated. Authorities promise the approval process will be as transparent as possible: a three-month public consultation period will be set aside so all interested parties can submit their suggestions and feedback.
Special attention was given to preserving agricultural land and preventing excessive concentration of facilities in specific areas. In developing the plan, more than a hundred factors were taken into account, from landscape features to environmental restrictions and urban planning regulations. As a result, the share of territory allocated for energy projects was reduced compared to the original plans: initially, an option with 2.5% of the region’s area was considered.
Challenges and prospects for Catalonia
To achieve its renewable energy transition goals by mid-century, the region will need to install 62,000 megawatts of capacity. Currently, about 14,000 megawatts are already in operation on rooftops and other artificial surfaces. The remaining 48,000 megawatts are expected to come from new sites on specially designated plots. Of these, roughly 314 square kilometers will be occupied by solar power plants, and another 69 square kilometers by wind turbines.
Municipalities will have the opportunity to adjust the proposed zones, but will still be required to meet their assigned quotas. This approach allows the interests of local residents and the specifics of each locality to be taken into account. Authorities believe that the new plan will not only speed up the adoption of clean energy but also ensure the region’s energy independence in the future.
