Extremadura updates priority map after 793 MW solar, storage surge

The regional government of Extremadura has officially published an updated priority zoning map for utility-scale solar PV and energy storage projects, reshaping land-use planning at a time of rapid renewable energy expansion.

The decision follows the processing of 793.5 MW of solar photovoltaic and battery energy storage capacity between December 2025 and February 2026, according to data compiled by Energía Estratégica.

The figure reflects strong investment momentum in one of Spain"s most dynamic renewable energy hubs.

The Resolution, signed by Mercedes Morán Álvarez, Regional Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Sustainable Development, defines priority areas as those classified with "High" and "Very High Hosting Capacity for solar PV deployment.

For the first time, the regional government explicitly incorporates:

• Agronomic value of soil

• Protection of dehesas (traditional agroforestry systems unique to southwestern Spain)

• Safeguards for high-productivity arable land and permanent woody crops

The objective is to provide stronger territorial planning tools for renewable energy deployment in a region with one of the highest solar irradiation levels in Europe.

However, the government stresses that land is a finite resource.

Renewable energy growth must be compatible with agricultural protection and rural employment, particularly in areas where irrigated farming and dehesa systems play a structural economic role.

Until now, hosting capacity maps considered nine environmental factors:

• Slope

• Hydrology

• Protected natural areas

• Natura 2000 network

• Landscape

• Flora

• Habitats

• Threatened fauna

• Cultural heritage

Distance to electrical substations was also included as a discouraging factor for grid integration feasibility.

With the update, productive soil value becomes a structural variable, reinforcing the protection of the agricultural sector alongside environmental criteria.

Importantly, classification as a "High" or "Very High" hosting capacity zone does not exempt projects from environmental permitting procedures, at least until a future Strategic Environmental Assessment determines whether certain accelerated renewable areas may be streamlined.

Developers must still comply with sectoral permits and environmental impact assessments, although siting within these designated zones is expected to significantly facilitate administrative processing.

Between December 10, 2025 and February 5, 2026, 793.5 MW entered different stages of environmental permitting in Extremadura:

The dominant trend is not standalone solar plants, but hybridization of battery energy storage systems (BESS) with existing solar PV parks, enhancing grid flexibility and optimizing power purchase agreements (PPAs) and market participation strategies.

• Iberdrola: Bat Tagus IIV (35 MW storage each), hybridized with Tagus IIV solar complexes in Cáceres.

• Enel Green Power: Hernán Cortés (38.9 MW storage), Apicio (38.5 MW storage + 42.25 MW solar PV), Quijote (38.5 MW storage), Zurbarán (17.5 MW storage).

• EDP: Coria Villetas (156.2 MW solar PV + 13.75 MW storage).

• Statkraft: 137 MW Ahigal-Cerezo solar PV project, already granted Environmental Impact Statement.

• Endesa: 55 MW PV hybridization linked to the 52.22 MW Cíjara hydropower plant.

Additional developers include Monegros Solar (17.7 MW PV + 45.5 MW storage) and Parque Solar Cáceres (95 MW storage project linked to the Arenales PV plant).

The updated zoning framework also aligns with Directive (EU) 2023/2413, which establishes a binding target of at least 42.5% renewable energy in the EU"s gross final energy consumption by 2030, with an ambition to reach 45%.

Territorial planning is increasingly seen as a strategic tool to accelerate renewable energy deployment while preventing land-use conflicts and protecting traditional productive sectors.

The policy update comes as Extremadura consolidates its position as a net electricity exporter within Spain"s power system.

In 2025, renewable generation reached a historic record of:

• 16,413 GWh (+3.1% year-on-year)

Breakdown by technology:

• Solar PV: +3.4%

• Hydropower: +10.6%

• Wind power: +0.4%

• Other renewables: +24%

• Solar thermal: 17.6%

The region ranked sixth nationally in renewable electricity generation, behind leaders such as Castilla y León (28,431 GWh).

For renewable energy developers and independent power producers (IPPs), the updated map provides:

• Clear identification of preferred development areas

• Greater regulatory certainty

• Improved predictability for investment in renewables

For the regional administration, it offers a structured mechanism to steer solar PV and energy storage growth toward zones with lower environmental and socioeconomic impact.

As Spain accelerates grid integration, hybridization, and large-scale solar deployment, Extremadura"s new land-use model may become a reference for balancing renewable expansion with agricultural preservation in high-resource regions across Europe.