The energy ministry signaled the end of a fast pace of approvals, as it outlinedMarine Spatial Planning Plans (POEM) and the geographic zones for offshore wind in Spain, with a willingness to finalize these details before year’s end during a regional visit to Galicia. Officials emphasized a collective effort, while observers noted that the ministry’s wording sometimes read as tight or cautious. The plan will advance when the next fiscal year begins, with new processing rules for parks and site auctions aimed at deploying 1,000 to 3,000 MW of floating energy by 2030. As part of the offshore wind map and a sustainability imperative, further measures will be approved to implement a coordinated, integrated, cross-border approach that optimizes marine space, minimizes conflicts, and encourages coexistence and synergy. The decree moves through the Council of Ministers, and recent posts have stated that the latest steps have been completed. The Official State Gazette (BOE) presents a strategic environmental statement for POEMs and highlights changes to development locations.
The draft POEM plans segment offshore development into distinct zones. Because offshore projects typically have a smaller environmental footprint and less impact on fisheries and other activities, zones are categorized as priority areas and high-potential areas. The interaction between activities in these zones is complex, and the most recent revision eliminates the double category, labeling all sites as high-potential areas. This simplification was a key demand raised during intensive consultation.
smaller polygons
In the ecological transition narrative, offshore wind energy was noted as producing a record number of claims, surpassing even controversial coastal aggregate extraction. The justification centers on its role in biodiversity considerations, how it interacts with other uses, and its relevance to aquaculture, coastal fisheries, and national defense. The project owner explains that wind energy was prioritized because it aligns with climate goals, energy sovereignty, and the broader push for renewables.
In Galicia, which sits along the North Atlantic border, five implementation polygons were identified under the offshore wind NOR program. NOR-1 spans 593.7 square kilometers, located about 22.3 kilometers off Baixo Miño. NOR-2 sits roughly 28 kilometers from Ortegal and is the country’s largest at 2,362 square kilometers. NOR-3 and NOR-4 cover 167.3 and 75.2 square kilometers respectively, effectively expanding the maritime boundary between A Coruña and Lugo. NOR-5 covers 435.8 square kilometers in A Mariña. The decision confirms that these zones remain active with a driver to minimize interference with bottom fishing gear, including trawlers, longlines, and gillnets. The Ecological Transition body also noted adjustments to shrink one polygon and consolidate others along the Asturian coast to reduce conflicts.
removed areas
As reported previously, final POEMs omit several nearshore locations. The plans do not extend to areas closest to land around Gran Canaria and the Strait of Gibraltar, with the Balearic Islands and the Cabo de Gata region in Almería excluded due to incompatibilities among facilities, trawling activity, environmental protection, and tourism interests.
The POEM’s strategic environmental statement lays out criteria for robust environmental impact assessment, focusing on rapid and thorough evaluation of offshore wind projects. The document notes roughly thirty areas and notes that Galicia holds a substantial portion of projected power.
The Ecological Transition ministry indicates that, at minimum, studies will cover bird populations potentially affected by offshore facilities and acoustic impacts. The plan also requires characterization of marine habitats at each site, assessment of cumulative and synergistic effects from nearby wind projects, and acoustic monitoring before, during, and after construction. It calls for an integration study on landscape impact and a report on local fishing activities. Priority is given to ensuring wind farms coexist with traditional fishing practices and responsibly managed fishing grounds.
POEM