Albelda de Iregua opens its energy storage plant for public consultation

The Regional Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Affairs and Environment of the Government of La Rioja has opened the public information process for the simplified environmental impact assessment file of the ‘Albelda T2’ energy storage plant project, with 4.95 MW and evacuation infrastructure, in Albelda de Iregua. The announcement, signed by the Director General of Environmental Quality, Climate Change and Water, Isabel Vitoria Díez, is published in the Official Gazette of La Rioja number 171, dated September 7, 2026, in section III of Other provisions and acts.

The project, promoted by the company SOLAR BS 027, SL, is identified by reference AT/0025758 and EIA file 14/2026. The installation is subject to a simplified environmental impact assessment as it is included in Annex II of Law 21/2013, of December 9, on environmental assessment, within Group 4 of Energy Industry.

Regulatory framework of the process

The opening of the public information period is based on Article 20.1 of Decree 29/2018, of September 20, which approves the development regulation of Title I “Administrative Intervention” of Law 6/2017 on Environmental Protection of La Rioja, modified by Decree 26/2024, of September 3.

The need to subject the project to a simplified assessment is due to its fit within two sections of Annex II of Law 21/2013:

• Section b), relating to the construction of power lines not included in Annex I with a voltage equal to or greater than 15 kV and a length greater than 3 km, including their associated substations, as well as projects below those thresholds when they meet certain criteria or do not include the preventive measures of Royal Decree 1432/2008, of August 29, for the protection of avifauna against collision and electrocution.
• Section n), referring to stand-alone energy storage through electrochemical batteries or with any technology of a hybridized nature with electrical energy installations.

Deadline and channel for allegations

A period of thirty business days is opened, counted from the publication of the announcement in the Official Gazette of La Rioja, for interested parties to present any allegations and observations they deem appropriate. Contributions must indicate the file number, the sender, and the subject, and may be submitted through the Electronic Office of the Government of La Rioja.

The environmental document of the project can be consulted on the Government of La Rioja website, in the section for environmental impact assessment files in the public information phase.

Relevance for the territory

The ‘Albelda T2’ energy storage plant is part of the commitment to storage via electrochemical batteries, a key technology for integrating renewable generation and reinforcing grid stability. Its location in Albelda de Iregua, a municipality in the Iregua valley, makes the procedure a matter of direct interest for the citizens and the local community, who may participate in the environmental assessment process during the enabled period.

Source: Official Gazette of La Rioja, no. 171, September 7, 2026, section III. Other provisions and acts, page 15339 (official reference: BOR-A-20260907-III–3438).