Environmental green light for four hybrid photovoltaic parks in Albacete

The General Directorate of Environmental Quality and Assessment of the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO) has issued a favorable environmental impact statement (DIA) for the project “Breña, Cerroblanco, Torviscal, and Majales photovoltaic parks for hybridization with existing wind farms,” in the province of Albacete. The resolution, signed on August 31, 2026, by the Director General Marta Gómez Palenque, is published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) no. 224, of September 10, 2026, with reference BOE-A-2026-18976.

The project, initially promoted by Acciona Eólica de Castilla-La Mancha, SL and now under the name OPDEnergy Eólica de Castilla La Mancha, SL, consists of implementing four solar plants associated with the existing wind farms of the same name, utilizing their evacuation infrastructures and the connection point to the transmission grid at the Pinilla 400 kV substation, without increasing the granted access capacity.

A large-scale accumulated file

The four projects, processed cumulatively in a single file due to their substantial identity and spatial and functional connection, total 217,800 bifacial monocrystalline silicon photovoltaic modules of 620 Wp, with a total fenced area of 250.21 hectares. The estimated useful life of the facilities is 30 years.

• Breña: 30.56 MW, hybridized with the 36 MW wind farm, in Masegoso.
• Cerroblanco: 52.77 MW, with 48 MW wind, in Masegoso.
• Torviscal: 26.38 MW, with 24 MW wind, in Masegoso.
• Majales: 49 MW, with 49.5 MW wind, in Masegoso, Casas de Lázaro, and Alcaraz.

The energy will be evacuated via medium-voltage underground lines to the SET Torviscal 132/30-12 kV transformer substation, shared with the wind farms, and from there to the transmission grid. During the processing, the full undergrounding of the Majales evacuation line was accepted, replacing the planned aerial section to cross the Masegoso river.

A procedure with consultations and conditions

The file was subject to public information and consultations with the affected administrations, resulting in 18 reports. The Júcar Hydrographic Confederation initially issued an unfavorable report due to insufficient information, which became favorable after the expansion of the hydrological studies. The General Directorate of Natural Environment and Biodiversity of Castilla-La Mancha reported favorably with conditions, as did the Vice-Ministry of Culture and Sports.

The EIA establishes extensive conditions: exclusion of areas with a slope greater than 12%, protection of habitats of community interest and geomorphological elements such as dolines and uvalas, creation of native vegetation islands, and an integrated environmental monitoring program that coordinates the tracking of bird and bat mortality from the solar plants and wind turbines. Additionally, an action protocol for problematic wind turbines is incorporated.

Climate and Socioeconomic Impact

According to the environmental documentation, approximately 3.1 million tons of CO₂ equivalent emissions will be avoided during the useful life of the facilities compared to a non-renewable generation scenario. The project anticipates favorable socioeconomic effects due to investment, job creation, and associated economic activity, which could contribute to maintaining the population in rural areas.

The environmental impact statement is not subject to administrative appeal, without prejudice to those that may proceed against the project authorization act, which is the responsibility of the substantive body. With this resolution, the promoter is enabled to continue the administrative processing of the four plants, which must comply with the environmental conditions set for their construction, operation, and decommissioning.

Official source: Resolution of August 31, 2026, of the Directorate General for Quality and Environmental Evaluation, formulating the environmental impact statement for the project “Breña, Cerroblanco, Torviscal, and Majales photovoltaic parks for their hybridization with the existing Breña, Cerroblanco, Torviscal, and Majales wind farms, in the province of Albacete” (BOE-A-2026-18976), published in the Official State Gazette (Boletín Oficial del Estado) no. 224, of September 10, 2026, section III.