Saved by a Decree: Eight Alicante Solar Projects Get a Lasting Lifeline
Eight solar power plants in the province of Alicante faced a critical deadline this month. A central government decree extended processing times for three additional years, preventing the projects from expiring and allowing them to push forward with connecting to the electricity grid. This intervention came as a relief to the project supporters who risked losing permits and facing renewed bureaucratic hurdles during grid integration. Restart files.
The delays surrounding solar power development have become a major challenge for the current regional government. Under Botànic’s administration, a backlog of permit requests built up as authorities struggled to resolve files, slowing progress across the sector. Over five years, only 74 installation files with a combined capacity of 899 megawatts were approved in Alicante, while 149 decisions covering 1,967 megawatts remained pending.
What caused the most concern was that eight projects were on the brink of expiration at the end of January, threatening the investments and plans of their owners. This situation drew repeated warnings from Marcos Lacruz, president of the Valencian Energy Sector Association (Avaesen), who cautioned that permits, assurances, and project timelines could be irreparably damaged if swift action did not occur.
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The government responded with a decree through the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge. The measure extends the window to secure an operating permit by three years and adds an extra six months to obtain a construction permit.
The regional administration welcomed the move and highlighted ongoing efforts to accelerate project processing. Officials from the Ministry of Innovation, Industry, Trade and Tourism have signaled that a broader renewal of renewable energy rules is on the way, aiming to harmonize guidelines with those in neighboring autonomous communities.
The forthcoming reform is set to focus on four pillars: lowering the economic guarantees required from project developers, not allowing outdated project valuations to hinder progress when technology advances, strengthening the administration with additional personnel, and digitizing procedures. There are also plans to forge cooperation agreements with industry associations and professional bodies to streamline approvals.
More help for photovoltaic self-consumption
Beyond large-scale plants intended for grid power, the regional administration is addressing a surge of projects aimed at commercial self-consumption. As noted earlier, the government has added another 16 million euros to the program, lifting the total budget to 92 million. Since 2021, about 2,600 applications have been submitted in Alicante to support self-consumption initiatives.
Overall, the policy shifts reflect a clear intent to bring transparency, speed, and consistency to the processing of solar projects. By aligning procedures with those of other regions and by leveraging digital tools, the administration hopes to reduce bottlenecks and foster a more predictable environment for investors and developers. This is seen as essential for expanding renewable capacity while maintaining grid reliability and economic momentum for Alicante and the wider Valencian Community.
At the same time, industry observers stress the importance of maintaining high standards for environmental compliance, public participation, and grid integration engineering. While the decree buys time for existing projects, ongoing governance will need to balance ambitious renewable targets with careful oversight, ensuring that new and existing developments contribute to affordable, sustainable energy for homes and businesses across the region.
Sources: Ministry of Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge; Ministry of Innovation, Industry, Trade and Tourism; Valencian Energy Sector Association (Avaesen).