Vitoria, (EFE).- The Basque Government has approved the Renewable Energy Sector Territorial Plan in Euskadi with which it defines 110 locations for wind and photovoltaic parks.
According to the Government, these locations, 57 for wind power plants and another 53 for solar farms, only account for 1% of the community’s territory.
The official gazettes of the Basque Country and the three territories publish the order this Wednesday with the initial approval of the PTS.
Now the public information process is open for 45 days for the presentation of allegations. The objective is to approve the Plan this legislature.
The document defines the location zones for the location of future wind farms and solar farms.
Wind farm locations
Among the former are 26 municipalities in Bizkaia, 19 in Álava and 12 in Gipuzkoa.
The Vizcainos where wind farms could be installed are: Alonsotegi, Amorebieta-Etxano, Arrankudiaga, Arrieta, Arrigorriaga, Artzentales, Balmaseda, Barakaldo, Berriatua, Bilbao, Dima, Galdames, Güeñes, Larrabetzu, Markina-Xemein, Meñaka, Morga, Mungia, Muskiz, Mixika, Otxandio, Sopuerta, Ubide, Valle Trápaga, Zalla and Zeanuri.
In Álava Alegría-Dulantzi, Añana, Aramaio, Arraia-Maeztu, Asparrena, Badaia, Barrundia, Bernedo, Elburgo, Ribera Alta, Iruraiz-Gauna, Llodio, Legutio, Okondo, Peñacerrada, San Millán, Valdegovía, Vitoria and Oyón.
In Gipuzkoa Beizama, Berastegi, Bidania, Deba, Elduain, Rezil, Escoriatza, Gaztelu, Leintz-Gatzaga, Mendaro, Mutriku and Oñati.
solar park installations
With regard to photovoltaic energy, the initial document of the Plan mentions 23 sites in Bizkaia and Álava and 7 in Gipuzkoa.
In Álava, Amurrio, Ayala, Urkabustaiz, Zigoitia, Agurain, Alegría, Arratzua-Ubarrundia, Asparrena, Barrundi, Elburgo, Iruña de Oka, Iruraiz-Gauna, San Millán, Vitoria, Arraia-Maeztu, Bernedo, Campezo, Elvillar, Laguardia, Ribera Alta (con dos), Lantarón and Valdegobía. Almost all these locations are in the central area of the territory.
In Bizkaia, Dima, Zeanuri, Orduña, Abadiño, Amorebieta-Etxano, Berriz, Elorrio, Karrantza, Sopuerta, Berango, Erandio, Galdakao, Lezama, Trápaga, Zamudio, Lemoiz, Plentzia, Urduliz, Gamiz, Gatika, Maruri, Meñaka and Mungia .
From Gipuzkoa Antzuola, San Sebastián, Albiztur, Alegia, Bidania, Tolosa and Zestoa.
These areas where solar and wind farms can be placed have been chosen “under the premise of achieving maximum use of the renewable potential of the Basque Country compatible with the preservation” of nature.
Categories according to their function and size
The facilities may be of six categories. Large-scale wind energy will be those with 5 or more wind turbines or with a power equal to or greater than 30 MW.
As for the large-scale photovoltaic ones, in the central Álava area they will be those that occupy 10 or more hectares or have a power equal to or greater than 5 MW. In the rest of the areas when they occupy 5 or more Ha or have an installed capacity of 2.5 MW or more.
Medium-scale wind farms will be those with between 1 and 5 wind turbines, with a power between 1 and 30 MW.
The photovoltaic medians in central Álava with less than 10 Ha and a power between 1 and 5 MW, and in the rest of the areas with less than 5 Ha and a power between 1 and 2.5 MW.
Image of solar panels on a building in the Arkaiate neighborhood in Vitoria. EFE/David Aguilar
In addition, small-scale installations of both wind and photovoltaic energy are defined as smaller to medium-sized ones.
The PTS proposal sets the exclusion criteria when setting the areas where parks can be opened.
Protected biotypes, the Natura 2000 Network, biosphere reserves, cataloged wetlands, river reserves, in Txingudi will be prohibited in parks and natural monuments.
Also in areas of cultural heritage such as the Camino de Santiago and the cultural landscape of wine and Rioja Alavesa vineyards, among others.