Balearic Government Launches Public Agrovoltaic Pilot
The Balearic Government is advancing the first public agrovoltaic pilot plant as part of the Balearic Energy Institute program. This initiative aims to bring together farming and energy production to benefit more than 500 families, with land use shared between agricultural activity and power generation.
The Energy Transition project, supported by the Ministry of Generating Industries and Democratic Memory and led by Juan Pedro Yllanes, envisions a public park that blends energy and agriculture on public lands. The project will address energy poverty while creating a model for mixed uses that can be replicated in other regions and communities.
The hybrid installation will utilize land owned by the Government in Santa Eugènia, specifically at the Institute for Business Innovation, a subsidiary of the Vice Presidency. The plan envisions 1.6 megawatts of renewable energy capacity paired with battery storage on a plot just over two hectares. The medium to high photovoltaic area on the city’s outskirts will host the energy infrastructure while a one and a half hectare section is reserved for agricultural development, ensuring both sectors can coexist effectively.
Managed by the Balearic Energy Institute, the project is expected to generate roughly 2,400 megawatt hours of emission free electricity each year and deliver an annual economic return around 100,000 euros. Agricultural exploitation will be conducted through concession processes that favor cooperative, social, or community-based organizations that promote social inclusion and local empowerment.
The plan addresses multiple goals beyond climate action. It seeks to protect, conserve, modernize, and improve the natural, rural, and agricultural environment while promoting new rural economies. The Ministry intends to set balance criteria that harmonize agricultural and energy activities, supporting resilient local livelihoods and sustainable development on the islands.
Officials emphasize that the project will carry an economic and social mandate from the Ministry. It is designed to enhance education and employment quality by fostering nonseasonal jobs and expanding production diversity. Yllanes has emphasized the importance of supporting non-tourism economic activity and improving overall employment quality for residents.
Yllanes notes that marketing public energy beyond certain thresholds can lower electricity bills for households and, more importantly, place energy policy at the center of public governance. The pilot aims to address three main priorities: advancing environmental commitments and climate action, delivering tangible support to families by reducing energy costs, and creating jobs that diversify the regional economy while strengthening local resilience.
In a context marked by climate and energy emergencies where the agricultural sector faces heat stress, officials advocate government measures to cut emissions, generate clean power, and expand local employment opportunities. The vice president stresses the need for a proactive stance to protect rural livelihoods and maintain energy security.
Budgets | More Resources for the Balearic Energy Institute
The team led by Juan Pedro Yllanes plans to seek greater resources in budget negotiations to accelerate multiple initiatives, with a strong focus on elevating the Balearic Energy Institute to a reference standard across the state. The aim is to reduce energy dependence and broaden the market for renewable energy, expanding access to power for more families across the Balearic Islands.