Expanding the tree belt of the Gernika-Arbacegi linear park…

The territorial delegate of Bizkaia has declared as being of public interest the project to widen the tree-free strip of the 13.2 kV overhead electrical line named Gernika – Arbacegi cto.6, in the municipalities of Ajangiz, Mendata, Arratzu, and Munitibar-Arbatzegi Gerrikaitz. María Jesús Markaida Uriarte, the territorial delegate of Bizkaia for Industry, Energy Transition, and Sustainability, signed the Resolution of September 17, 2026, which was published in the BOPV No. 192 of October 7, 2026, with official reference 2026/4146. The declaration entails expropriation consequences and establishes urgent occupation.

The project promoter is I-DE Redes Eléctricas Inteligentes, S.A.U., which requested the declaration and the simplified environmental assessment on September 17, 2020. The file number is 48-AT-Y-2020-00072, and the technical services of the Energy Area of the territorial delegation of Bizkaia issued a favorable report.

Five years of administrative processing

The processing has consisted of several steps:

On January 5, 2024, the simplified environmental impact assessment was requested, with reference EIAS-243.
On February 6, 2024, the environmental body established the ordinary assessment procedure due to the characteristics of the project.
On February 10, 2025, the promoter submitted the environmental documentation.
On May 4, 2026, file EIAO-175 was sent to the environmental body.
On June 29, 2026, the environmental impact statement was issued, published in the BOPV of August 6, 2026.

Three allegations regarding land ownership

The request was made public in the BOPV of May 30, 2025, the BOB of May 28, 2025, on the notice boards of the four municipalities, and in the Deia newspaper on June 6, 2025. During that period, three allegations were submitted regarding the ownership of the plots affected by the project:

Ixusko Ordeñana Gezuraga, on April 25, 2025.
Matxalen Belausteguigoitia Arrien, on April 30, 2025.
José Domingo Ampuero y Osma, on June 17, 2025.

The promoter responded to all allegations and agreed to correct the land ownership according to the submitted documentation.

Reports on agricultural and irrigation impact

Consultations were held with the four municipalities, several directorates of the Basque Government, the Provincial Council of Bizkaia, the Ura and Ihobe agencies, and the associations Eguzkizaleak, Ekologistak Martxan, and SEO/Birdlife. Among the reports received:

The General Directorate of Agriculture of the Provincial Council of Bizkaia (April 25, 2025) approved a favorable impact, applying corrective measures.
The General Directorate of Culture of the Provincial Council of Bizkaia (May 16, 2025) notified the location of the protected surrounding heritage.
The Department of Infrastructure and Territorial Development of the Provincial Council of Bizkaia (June 2, 2025) requested specifications regarding the impact on the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve.
The Directorate of Agriculture and Livestock of the Basque Government (February 20, 2026) requested a deeper analysis of the impact on the agricultural sector.
The Directorate of Cultural Heritage of the Basque Government (March 3, 2026) saw no objection.

Urgent occupation and registration consequences

Article 54 of Law 24/2013 establishes the public interest of electric power distribution installations, for compulsory expropriation and the establishment of way-easements. The declaration entails the need for occupation, and urgent occupation, according to Article 56 of Law 24/2013 and Article 52 of the Compulsory Expropriation Law of December 16, 1954, with the registration consequences of Article 53.

The project must be implemented according to the conditions established by the environmental impact statement of June 29, 2026. Measures include the protection of natural heritage, public water heritage, protection of soils and landscapes, reduction of dust, noise and vibrations, waste management, and an environmental care program, which is mandatory during the works.

One-month period to file an appeal

The resolution does not exhaust the administrative route; an appeal may be filed within one month before the Director of Decarbonization of the Department of Industry, Energy Transition and Sustainability. The maximum period to resolve the appeal is three months, and the passing of this period constitutes a negative silence.

This declaration paves the way for the start of the tree-belt expansion works, but at the same time affects the rights of landowners through urgent occupation. The owners of estates in four municipalities will have to undergo the expropriation procedure, and compliance with environmental measures will be mandatory during the works.

Fuente: BOPV, n.º 192, 7 de octubre de 2026, Otras Disposiciones (official reference: 2026/4146).