The renewable energy sector in Spain begins a new year with more administrative resolutions published in the Official State Gazette. A total of 550.27 MW of projects have obtained key authorisations for their advancement, while another 414.3 MW have been rejected at various stages of environmental and administrative processing.
Approved Projects: A Boost in Renewable Capacity According to the Strategic Energy Europe registry, among the developments that have received approval, Iberdrola's photovoltaic projects stand out.The company has obtained
environmental impact declaration approval for its Azután I, II, and III plants, which total 180 MWn in the municipalities of Alcolea de Tajo and Calera y Chozas (Toledo). Similarly, Envatios, the company with the largest processing capacity, has obtained prior administrative and construction authorisation for the Los Pradillos mega-project, which will contribute 361.4 MW in various locations across Toledo and Madrid. Other smaller-scale projects have also been approved, such as San Lorenzo D by BETA-i, which received prior administrative and construction authorisation in Valladolid (34.37 MW), and El Lago by Brezo Desarrollos España, SL, which was granted the same authorisation for 70.23 MW in Toledo. Within the category of hybrid installations, the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge has granted an environmental impact determination authorisation for the Extresol 2 solar park in Badajoz (6.7 MW), intended to complement the existing 49.9 MW thermosolar plant. In the same trend, Elawan Energy"s hybrid project, Frontones Híbrida (30 MW photovoltaic with a 4 MW battery storage system), received an environmental impact declaration in Albacete. Rejected Projects Not all projects have met administrative requirements. Forestalia, one of the most active companies in renewable energy, saw four initiatives rejected following the denial of prior administrative and construction authorisation:- The Jaime I photovoltaic park (38.2 MW)
- The Lera wind farm (42 MW)
- The San Vicente wind farm (49 MW)
- The Honos wind farm (49 MW)
The projects rejected were:
- Monte de Portochán (66 MW)
- As Castiñeiras (54 MW)
- Monte Silvariño (66 MW)
While large-scale projects like
Los Pradillos and the Azután cluster move forward, rejections mainly impact wind farms and projects led by developers with an established track record. A key trend in the sector is the rise of hybrid projects, which combine solar and wind technologies or integrate battery storage.Examples such as
Extresol 2, Frontones Híbrida, and San Lorenzo D highlight the growing commitment to this model. With increasingly stringent regulations and intense competition in the sector, companies must refine their strategies to ensure compliance with technical and environmental requirements.Meanwhile, the
550.27 MW approved will represent a significant step in Spain"s energy transition, reinforcing its position as a European leader in renewable energy.