Authorization for the Umiko solar park in Tauste denied

The General Directorate of Energy Policy and Mines has dismissed the application from Energía Inagotable de Umiko, SL for the prior administrative authorization of the “Umiko” photovoltaic solar park, with an installed capacity of 46.5 MW, located in the municipality of Tauste (Zaragoza), agreeing to the archiving of file SGIISE/PFot-752. The resolution, signed on August 31, 2026, is published in the Official State Gazette (Boletín Oficial del Estado) number 229, dated September 16, 2026, in section III, page 122576, with reference BOE-A-2026-19314.

The decision is adopted under Article 53 of Law 24/2013, of December 26, on the Electricity Sector and Royal Decree 1955/2000, of December 1, which regulates the authorization procedures for electrical energy installations. The project, with 49.50 MWp/46.50 MWn, was requested by the developer on July 27, 2021, and processed cumulatively together with the “Tara” park under file PFot-752AC.

A long administrative journey

The processing extended for more than five years and went through several phases. The file was referred to the government delegations and sub-delegations in Álava, Burgos, Navarra, La Rioja, and Aragón, and the General Directorate of Environmental Quality and Evaluation issued a favorable environmental impact statement on November 24, 2023. On June 5, 2025, it was agreed to process the “Umiko” and “Tara” projects separately.

Authorization request: July 27, 2021.
Agreement for the accumulation of files: August 10, 2021.
Favorable environmental impact statement: November 24, 2023.
Agreement for de-accumulation: June 5, 2025.
Hearing process: June 13, 2025.

Expiration of access permits

The determining factor was the expiration of the access and grid connection permits, granted at the Jundiz 220 kV substation, owned by Red Eléctrica de España, SAU. These permits expired on October 29, 2023, as the favorable environmental impact statement had not been obtained within the deadline, in accordance with Royal Decree-Law 23/2020, of June 23, which requires it to be obtained within 31 months from the granting of the permits.

Law 24/2013 prevents the granting of administrative authorization for generation facilities if the holder has not previously obtained the access and connection permits. During the hearing process, granted on June 13, 2025, with a period of fifteen business days, no response was received from the developer; subsequently, on June 29, 2026, Energía Inagotable de Umiko, SL requested the archiving of the file.

Appeal and guarantees

Against the resolution, which does not exhaust administrative remedies, an administrative appeal (recurso de alzada) may be filed before the holder of the Secretary of State for Energy within one month of its publication in the BOE. The resolution is signed by the Director General for Energy Policy and Mines, Manuel García Hernández.

The denial represents a new setback for the implementation of large photovoltaic plants in Aragon and reflects the tightening of administrative deadlines for grid access. For the municipality of Tauste and the renewable sector, the decision confirms that failure to meet the time milestones of Royal Decree-Law 23/2020 can lead to the definitive loss of permits and the archiving of the project, with the subsequent execution of the deposited financial guarantees.

Source: Official State Gazette, no. 229, September 16, 2026, Sec. III, p. 122576 (official reference: BOE-A-2026-19314).