These projects embody the future of sustainable energy and are key to achieving energy sovereignty in the Valencian Community. Yet progress on solar installations has moved slowly. Currently, 350 projects await resolution, with Alicante province accounting for about 150 of them. In many cases, approval has stretched for years. And time is slipping away for the companies backing these plans, who stand to incur significant losses if permits are not secured starting January 25. To address the urgency, the Ministry of Innovation, Industry, Trade and Tourism has made accelerating these initiatives a top priority. The region faces a potential investment of 7.5 billion euros and around 6,000 jobs at stake if the bottlenecks persist.
The disposition of the projects, most of which involve solar gardens, highlighted weaknesses in the prior Botànic administration. Even after staffing boosts in relevant departments, the process remained sluggish due to lingering disagreements between the PSPV and Compromís on the issue and divergent views among the Ministries of Economy, Agriculture, Regional Policy and Finance. As a result, 350 projects are still in the pipeline, raising concerns among the companies supporting them.
Valencian Energy Sector Association president Marcos Lacruz notes that the main driver of unrest is time. “Every day counts, and we are teetering on the edge of a precipice,” he says. He adds that after January 25, many firms risk losing permission to connect to the grid and could forfeit the investments they made when submitting the projects. “The consequences for our companies are severe,” he warns.
Consell to limit photovoltaic installations to protect vineyards
Still, Lacruz emphasizes that the issue goes beyond commercial gains. The planned investments and the jobs generated during construction are at risk, even as the ultimate aim remains boosting renewable energy production in the Valencian Community. “What is at stake is the prestige of a landscape that is already fragmented,” he argues. He notes that no megawatt will connect to the grid this year, while other regions could achieve large-scale connections elsewhere, such as Andalusia.
The situation is more favorable for self-consumption facilities, where Lacruz sees steady progress for both residents and businesses. He also stresses that solar farms are needed to add substantial megawatts to the broader electricity distribution system.
Meeting
In response to these concerns, Avaesen officials recently met with Nuria Montes, minister of Innovation, Industry, Trade and Tourism, and returned with a sense of momentum. “There is a clear commitment to urgency. They understand the industry’s stakes and will move to speed up the procedures,” says the association’s president, who also requests a prompt appointment to the General Directorate of Energy and Mining, a leadership post yet to be filled.
The regional department acknowledges that streamlining photovoltaic projects is a primary objective, though not every proposal will succeed. They warn that those meeting the required conditions will proceed after a thorough review of all documents. They also indicate that the General Directorate of Energy and Mining will be filled as soon as possible, while solar plants remain under the Autonomous Secretariat of Industry, Trade and Tourism.
Another priority goal is the abolition of the tourism tax. In addition to expediting photovoltaic project processing, the Ministry has included eliminating the tourism tax in its strategic goals. Regional officials point out that the reform targets the rate from Botànic’s prior regional administration to be repealed by December 31, ensuring it cannot be implemented next year. Municipal councils may act on this as they see fit. The measure will move through the Valencian Cortes in the coming weeks.
The Ministry led by Nuria Montes will also focus on simplifying administrative procedures across the board, including the development of industrial land. The new director of the public company overseeing ITV will be appointed at the company’s upcoming meeting.