Renewable Energy Projects Granted Construction Authorization in Spain
Administrative Construction Authorization for 283 Projects
In compliance with the deadlines and benchmarks set by Royal Decree-Law 23/2020, 283 renewable energy projects totaling 28GW were granted Administrative Construction Authorization (AAC) by Spain’s Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO) on July 25.
The authority stated that the 28,123MW of projects will require more than €17 billion in total investment to execute, and that they will create roughly 300,000 jobs. This will support the growth trajectory of renewable energy set forth by the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC).
Environmental Impact Statements
Out of 428 renewable generation projects, only 321 received a favorable Environmental Impact Statement, and in 70% of those cases, the statement came with requirements that had to be met before the project could move forward.
Project Breakdown
Of the 283 projects that received the AAC, 43 have wind power associated with them, which is 2.6GW, and 239 have photovoltaic power associated with them, which is 24.8GW, plus a 573MW pumping hydroelectric plant.
Alignment with PNIEC Goals
In line with the PNIEC’s draft update 2023–2030, which aims to double wind power to exceed 62GW and triple installed solar power to exceed 76GW by the end of the decade, all approved projects can now start construction right away and must go into service within three years. This will help achieve the organization’s goals.
Economic Impact
According to MITECO’s conservative estimate, building the facilities will cost over €17 billion in total and create roughly 300,000 jobs, with a focus on rural areas. Of these, more than 41,000 jobs will be related to wind energy and more than 260,000 jobs will be related to photovoltaics.
