The Balearic Islands are increasing interest in renewable energy. The General Directorate of Energy and Climate Change processes seven new projects for photovoltaic parksThis will mean a 25% increase in the renewable power currently installed on the islands. These are small projects, totaling just over 20 MW.
It can be seen that the new projects do not represent a very high number of new power, the general director of Energy and Climate Camabio, Joan Groizard, appreciated their contribution. Unfortunately, currently in the Balearic Islands there are only 79 megawatts of renewable energy installed.
Although, it must also be taken into account that there are other projects that will contribute another 197 megawatts, the result of the start-up of great initiatives, among which there are the 'megaparks' of Santa Cirga and Cap Blanc, which have generated criticism from environmental groups, at the end of the article we are going to talk about them.
On the other hand, the new seven parks that are being processed, of which five are in Mallorca, are much smaller in size, which is in line with the objective of the current Government to boost green energy. This recent response by promoters of promoting small solar parks is based on different reasons.
Groizard acknowledges that one of the reasons is the pressure exerted by the institutions to reduce the size of the new projects. Another factor, no less important, is the evolution of technology, which has greatly reduced the cost of installing solar energy.
Subsidies
Very good news for small developers, is the negotiation that the Government has maintained with the State, so that it carries out a specific auction of renewables for the Balearic Islands. The objective is to give viability to projects with smaller measures and, therefore, more adapted to the reality of the Islands. The Government informed last Monday that it is studying the concession of 60 million euros of Aid for the Balearic and Canary Islands, a plan that joins the investment in renewable energies financed through European funds. «With these aids, the promoters of smaller renewable parks are encouraged to invest, since it is profitable for them that way. Without aid, it only pays to develop large parks, ”explained Groizard.
Another very important factor is the simplification of the procedure for small photovoltaic parks. In the modification of the Environmental Impact Assessment Law, the conditions for construction projects were simplified. less than four hectares, which are located in areas classified environmentally as highly aptitude to encourage precisely this type of project.
solar megaparks
Despite much criticism, the Balearic Islands Environmental Commission (CMAIB) approved the two largest park projects a few months ago photovoltaics in Majorca, the one at Santa Cirga in Manacor and the one at the s'Àguila estate, located in the Marina de Llucmajor.
After several reductions in the installation area, the Manacorí project (which will be located on the historic birthplace of philologist Antoni Maria Alcover) will occupy 56 hectares and will have 49,5 megawatts of power. Arguments that, after years of controversy and neighborhood pressures and together with the proposals for setback and placement of a natural barrier, they have ended up convincing the administrations.
In the same way, the s'Àguila photovoltaic park, already reduced its initial dimensions by almost 50% months ago. The promoter Baleares Llucmajor Photovoltaic SL reduced its surface area by 48,4%, going from 97,4 hectares to the current 50,2. That is, 47,2 hectares less. Likewise, the 204.120 modules provided for in the first version of the project were increased to 133.614, and the separation from the exterior was increased through creation of vegetal barriers thicker and a series of livestock and social projects.
According to the administrations, they are aware of the social controversies and the legitimate positions against the parks, for the occupation of territory and for the sensitivity towards the landscape. But they add that they must make ambitious and powerful decisions because the levels of renewable in the Balearic Islands they are ridiculous.