The exact sites where offshore wind farms might be built in Spain are already mapped. Today, numerous projects line the entire coast, waiting for approval of the instrument that defines the zones open for development. In its Tuesday meeting, the Council of Ministers approved the initial Spain maritime zone planning plans. These plans set the boundaries for offshore wind activity, collectively covering 5,000 square kilometers, or 0.46% of national waters.
The government has approved a royal decree that endorses each country’s Marine Area Management Plans (POEM). The five maritime borders include the North Atlantic, South Atlantic, Bosphorus and Alborán, Levantino-Balearic Islands, and Canary Islands. The framework is valid through 2027 and can be reviewed every six years.
This tool guarantees that human activity occurs with respect for ecosystems and the sustainable use of resources, reducing conflicts and fostering unity among different uses, as the minister noted.
Ribera emphasized that uses are activated or limited by region, accounting for protected areas, safety easements for maritime transport, or national defense considerations.
South Atlantic region, the only region without offshore wind farms
Along the South Atlantic border, between the Gulf of Cádiz and the meridian through Cape Espartel, the installation of offshore wind plants is not planned.
In the North Atlantic, between the Bay of Biscay and the northern limit of the Spain-Portugal jurisdiction, offshore wind can be developed in areas totaling 2,688 km2.
In the Narrow and Alborán zones, which cover Ceuta, Melilla, Chafarinas, Perejil, and several nearby islets, as well as a line from Cape Espartel to Cape Gata, development is allowed in areas around 1,222 km2.
For the Levantino-Balearic border (between Cabo de Gata and Golfo de León), the available surface is reduced to about 475 km2, with the Canary Islands at around 562 km2.
Officials from the Ministry of Ecological Transition, who prepared the report, stated that without a solid environmental protection basis, sustainable activity cannot endure. The top priority is to preserve ecosystems and their regenerative capacity.
ZUP and ZAP zones
In their design, maritime plans outline areas called priority use zones (ZUP) and high potential zones (ZAP).
ZUPs designate areas where current uses of general interest—such as biodiversity and cultural heritage protection, underwater resources for coastal defense, research and development, national defense, and navigational safety—are active.
ZAPs are intended for industry and general-use activities, including future wind energy development. Other uses may include biodiversity protection, deposits for coastal protection, R&D, port activities, and aquaculture, with wind power excluded in some cases.
Future plans indicate that offshore mining is not scheduled, as no developments are foreseen in the near term (at least until 2027). Spain remains opposed to this activity until environmental impacts are well understood.
5,000 km2, “more” than planned capacity
The offshore wind footprint does not exceed 5,000 km2, or 0.46% of total waters. The same source notes that the five POEMs will be reviewed by December 31, 2027, at the latest.
There is ample room for offshore wind capacity within this area, with a target of between 1 and 3 gigawatts set by the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan for 2030.
If a clear basis for defining marine area uses is lacking, biodiversity protection has been the primary constraint to long-term development. Maritime transport safety and national defense follow closely behind.
Where certain interests are less compatible, space is allocated to preserve biodiversity while allowing for planned activities. Any project proceeding must go through the same environmental review steps as onshore projects, including a positive environmental impact assessment.
Whether profitable or not, each potential project requires careful analysis. It remains uncertain how much wind capacity will be realized by the end of the period, and it is possible that PNIEC targets may not be met.
Companies with plans must identify feasible sites that do not compromise other environmental values. The operation of projects depends on the Minister of State for Energy, and it remains unclear if any project will proceed beyond the drawing board.
All information on the regulation approved by the Ministry can be found in the official document at the ministry’s site.
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Note: formal contact details for the environment department have been removed from this version to respect privacy guidelines.