A new solar park in Alcarràs (Lleida) is now operating, expanding Catalonia’s renewable energy capacity. Inaugurated by President Salvador Illa, the facility adds 300 megawatts of installed power to the grid, with another 100 megawatts expected in the near future. The project is set to double Catalonia’s total photovoltaic output beyond self-consumption levels.
Joined by Sílvia Paneque, the regional minister for Territory, and local officials, Illa reaffirmed the government’s commitment to accelerating the shift to renewable energy. He acknowledged that Catalonia has lagged behind the national average: in 2025, only 21% of its electricity came from clean sources, compared with 50% across Spain. Illa stressed the need for energy autonomy, citing the region’s natural resources, sun and wind, as basic assets.
The Alcarràs project is part of the broader Plan territorial sectorial para la generación eléctrica eólica y fotovoltaica (Plater), which has drawn controversy. More than 12,000 public comments were submitted during the consultation phase, while opposition has come from over 300 municipalities and from regional councils and social organizations. Critics argue that the plan’s scale and location threaten local interests and landscapes, despite government assurances that renewable installations can coexist with agriculture.
At the inauguration, Illa and Paneque praised Alcarràs for its collaborative approach, saying the solar park was developed in a way that preserves agricultural activity. The government also plans to install battery storage facilities at the site to improve energy management. Illa acknowledged that projects of this kind have a visual impact, but said renewables require only 2% of Catalonia’s territory. He added that the process would involve continued dialogue with mayors and farmers’ representatives.
Protests against the Plater plan have continued, including a recent demonstration near the monastery of Les Avellanes, where the regional government was meeting. Illa expressed support for the technical teams behind the plan and called for respectful, informed debate. He said consensus mattered, but the government would make the decisions needed to keep Catalonia’s energy transition moving.
Spain has seen rapid growth in renewable energy adoption in recent years, with national targets calling for most electricity to come from clean sources. Catalonia’s effort to catch up reflects its environmental commitments and the need to reduce dependence on external energy supplies. Similar tensions between local interests and national energy goals have surfaced elsewhere in Spain, where infrastructure projects have faced public resistance. The challenge of balancing local concerns with broader policy objectives has also emerged in the response to the migrant influx in Ceuta, where authorities have struggled to restore order and address community tensions, as reported in coverage of Ceuta’s recent crisis.
