Iberdrola repowers the Molar del Molinar wind farm on public land

The General Directorate of Natural Environment and Biodiversity of Castilla-La Mancha has authorized Iberdrola Renovables Castilla-La Mancha S.A. for the temporary occupation of 8,618 m² of the public utility forest “La Ventosa” to repower the Molar del Molinar wind farm. The resolution, dated August 5, 2026, is published in the Official Gazette of Castilla-La Mancha (DOCM) number 164, dated August 27, 2026, with reference [2026/6253].

The authorization is framed within the regime of temporary occupations in state-owned forests regulated by the Forestry Regulations (Decree 485/1962) and Law 3/2008, of June 12, on Forests and Sustainable Forest Management of Castilla-La Mancha. The file, processed by the Provincial Delegation of the Ministry of Sustainable Development in Albacete, was submitted for public consultation in the DOCM on February 18, 2026, and on the Town Hall notice board, with no objections presented.

Scope of the repowering

The repowered Molar del Molinar wind farm consists of 11 wind turbines of 4.5 MW unit capacity, totaling 49.5 MW of total installed capacity. The energy is evacuated via underground conduction to the ST Molar del Molinar 30/132 kV substation, located near the village of El Valero (Peñas de San Pedro), and from there via a 132 kV high-voltage line to the Pinilla substation.

The facilities are located within the municipal boundaries of Alcadozo and Peñas de San Pedro. The impact on the public forest occurs in cadastral plots 1, 27, 41, 43, and 94 of polygon 9 of Alcadozo, due to the expansion of the access roads to wind turbines M10.1 and M10.2, located in the vicinity of the “Ventosa” peak.

Economic conditions of the occupation

The occupation is granted for a term of 30 years, renewable if necessary, starting from February 27, 2025, the date on which the works for the modification of the vegetation cover were authorized. The fee and guarantees are established as follows:

• Annual fee: €3,878.10/year, adjustable according to the CPI, with 100% allocated to the Improvement Fund.
• First-year fee (construction phase): €7,440.30, due to the increase in the temporarily affected area.
• Deposit: €10,686.60.
• Damages: €8,921.52, plus the current VAT for forestry products.

The occupation is granted while reserving the ownership of the forest, does not constitute a lien, and any installation not removed upon cancellation of the concession reverts to the Administration. The beneficiary may not transfer ownership without prior authorization, and any variation involving the occupation of different lands will require a new file.

Protection of avifauna

The resolution imposes specific measures for the protection of avifauna, in application of the sectoral regulations:

• Decree 5/1999, on standards for overhead power lines for the protection of avifauna in Castilla-La Mancha.
• Royal Decree 1432/2008, establishing measures against collision and electrocution in high-voltage power lines.

The Ministry of Sustainable Development may inspect the facilities and verify the occupancy limits; failure to comply with the conditions shall lead to the initiation of the appropriate termination proceedings. An administrative appeal (recurso de alzada) may be filed against the resolution before the head of the Ministry within one month.

The repowering of Molar del Molinar allows for the modernization of an existing wind installation on public mountain land without expanding its footprint, replacing wind turbines with others of higher unit power. The operation strengthens renewable generation in the province of Albacete and, at the same time, guarantees income for the Forestry Improvement Fund and the protection of birds in an environment of high natural value.

Source: Official Gazette of Castilla-La Mancha, no. 164, August 27, 2026, section III, page 31084 (official reference: 2026/6253).