Consell aims to speed up the adoption of renewable energy on U.S. soil. Valencian Community one of the most debated topics in regional politics in recent months, fueling clear disagreements between PSPV-PSOE and its two partners in Botànic, Compromís and Unides Podem. Faced with this reality, the Valencian Government undertook to address the issue. Sixty-four files concerning renewable energy projects are currently under review with a January 25 deadline. This deadline was set by the Ministry of Ecological Transition to measure progress. Of the 64 files awaiting an Environmental Impact Statement, 21 belong to Alicante, 34 to Valencia, and nine to Castellón.
That obligation was not the only item on the agenda for the Generalitat on Tuesday. After meetings with Spain’s Finance Ministers, Arcadi, Sustainable Economy Minister Rafa Climent, Agriculture Minister Isaura Navarro, and Regional Policy Minister Rebeca Torró announced that the Community of Valencia expects to have a map identifying likely sites for renewable power plants in about six months. All ministries with a say will participate in crafting this map.
Preferred zones
The map design will identify favored areas for installing renewable power plants, with quick authorization for those sites. The map aims to accelerate energy facilities while minimizing the visual and environmental impact by protecting sensitive zones such as those within the Natura 2000 network, addressing regional realities in each area. Regions will be defined by landscape, environmental, industrial, and heritage considerations.
Botànic positions on energy and tax relief for family businesses
Regarding the files, Puig noted that there is ongoing processing within the Valencian Community. There are a total of 391 renewable project files representing 5,500 megawatts, of which 113 have been adjudicated and 45 authorized, leaving 278 files awaiting review by various ministries. Of this overall count, 64 projects are directly affected by the January 25 deadline set by the Ecological Transition, as they began before 2020. The president indicated that these 64 ongoing files include photovoltaic, solar, and wind plants.
turning point two
Sixty-four projects linked to Milestone 2 started in 2020, with most applications filed at the Generalitat. Together they total 2,342.60 megawatts. The Regional Public Administration has assured developers that all relevant departments will resolve the matter in the coming weeks and before the end of 2022. Milestone 2 refers to the administrative action stage that includes the Environmental Impact Statement for these projects. Initially there were 91 files subject to Milestone 2; files are assigned to this stage by the submission date to the Administration, in 2020. Of these, 22 files have been resolved and five are under review. Regional Services thus report that 64 projects remain to be addressed.
The head of Consell stressed that the complexity of some files had to be considered and acknowledged that meeting the targets would not be easy. He cited the coalition’s commitment and genuine interests as the driving force behind accelerating renewable energy projects.
Questions arose about whether the roadmap also covered municipal buildings, as some localities remain hesitant about facilities in their area. The Generalitat’s role, the president said, is to promote renewable energies.
A measure aligned with European guidelines
Consell’s push for renewable energy is largely shaped by European Union perspectives and the Valencia Community Climate Change Law. In that context, President Ximo Puig indicated that the European Parliament would approve measures this week to reach 45 percent renewable energy use in Europe by 2030. For the Valencian Community, once the areas likely to host facilities are mapped, the exact locations for photovoltaic, wind, or biomass plants can be determined immediately.
Puig expressed strong belief that renewable deployment could position the Valencian Community as an energy exporter by 2030. He acknowledged the wide range of views among Botànic partners but emphasized that the group is working toward a shared objective that recognizes daily realities, avoids unnecessary pollution, and advances the fight against climate change.