Spain blocks major solar plant planned between Murcia and the Vega Baja

Officials say proposed solar complex could cause significant environmental damage across Murcia and Alicante municipalities

A major solar energy project planned between Murcia and the Vega Baja has been blocked after Spain's Ministry for Ecological Transition rejected its environmental impact assessment.

The project, promoted by Galician company EIDF, intended to build the so-called Rojalinda Solar Photovoltaic Park, a huge solar complex covering parts of Murcia and southern Alicante.

However, environmental authorities concluded that the project would likely cause 'significant adverse impacts' on the environment. They said the measures proposed by the developer were not enough 'to prevent or compensate for the damage properly.'

The plans included a solar plant covering almost 98 hectares in the municipality of Murcia, an area roughly equivalent to 140 football pitches, with an expected generating capacity of 81.9 MWp.

The development also included a transformer substation and another collection substation in Rojales, linked by a high-voltage overhead power line running through eight municipalities: Orihuela, Jacarilla, Benejúzar, Algorfa, Almoradí, Los Montesinos and Rojales.

During the environmental review process, the company modified the project several times, reducing the planned power output from 81.9 MWp to 77.46 MWp and cutting the number of solar panels from 126,000 to just over 119,000. The power line route was also changed, making it almost 28 kilometres long.

The proposal first entered the approval process in September 2022, with an estimated investment of €26.3 million.

As part of the assessment, authorities reviewed environmental studies, technical reports, public consultation feedback, and additional material provided by the developer.

Several councils and public bodies raised concerns during the process. Murcia City Council's urban planning department warned that the project would have a major impact on the landscape and surrounding land, and criticised what it described as the 'excessive use of space' taken up by the power line route.

Meanwhile, Orihuela, Algorfa, Almoradí and Benejúzar councils also raised concerns over the project's visual impact in the area.

The Valencian regional government issued an unfavourable report, questioning the choice of Rojales substation over the closer Torremendo facility.

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