Burundi's battery plant moves forward without a proper evaluation

The Directorate of Environmental Administration (Department of Industry, Energy Transition and Sustainability) has formulated, via a resolution dated August 6, 2026, the environmental impact report for the «Stand Alone Barrundia» BESS plant, and concluded that an ordinary evaluation is not necessary. The resolution was published in the Official Gazette of the Basque Country (BOPV) issue 168, on September 3, 2026, as document 2026/3782.

The project is promoted by the company Abei Green Energy, S.L., and will be located in the municipalities of San Millán and Barrundia (Alava). The system will have a storage capacity of 120.36 MWh and an installed power of 26 MW, with four hours of autonomy, and will be built on non-urbanizable land.

Project characteristics

The plant will consist of 24 battery containers, using lithium iron phosphate (LFP) technology, and will be located on a plot of 15,391 m², with the installation occupying 10,445 m². Within it, the SET Abei 30/220 kV substation will be built, with an area of 1,800 m².

• An underground evacuation line of 2,305 m at 220 kV, connecting the SET Abei and the Barrundia 220 kV substation (owned by Red Eléctrica de España).
• Works are expected to be carried out over a period of 7 months.
• 4,865.67 m³ of construction and demolition waste will be generated.

Analysis of alternatives

According to the environmental document, four alternatives were analyzed, and alternative 3 was selected, located in San Millán, with an occupation of 1.43 ha. This option requires the shortest electrical line and creates the least impact on habitats and protected spaces.

Alternative 4, in the industrial estate of Asparrena/Salvatierra, was better from a landscape perspective as it occupied urban land, but it was ultimately rejected because it entailed a longer evacuation line (8,881 m) and a greater impact on hydrology, flora, and fauna.

Environmental conditions

The resolution establishes several protective and corrective measures, including ensuring the design of the line to avoid damaging the oak groves located within the Montes de Aldaia ZEC (ES2110016) and marking them for the protection of the woodland. Likewise, the Decree 213/2012 acoustics regulation must be complied with.

• Two crossings of the Laskarra stream (p.k. 0+700 and p.k. 2+030) will be carried out through culvert adjustments.
• The project is located in the «Sensitive Area Capture» category of the Ullibarri reservoir.
• To mitigate the landscape impact, a 5-meter vegetation screen and hydroseeding are planned.

Conclusion

The resolution states that, taking into account the protective and corrective measures and the controls established, no significant negative impact on the environment is expected, and therefore, it is not necessary for the project to undergo an ordinary evaluation. This agreement paves the way for this battery storage system, which is a fundamental infrastructure for the energy transition in the Basque Country, to support the integration of renewable energy.

Source: Official Gazette of the Basque Country, number 168, September 3, 2026, Other Provisions (official reference: 2026/3782).