Environment approves the FIB002 battery plant in Avilés and Gozón

The Regional Ministry of Mobility, Environment and Emergency Management has formulated the environmental impact report for the modification of the project “Battery storage plant FIB002 and connection infrastructures (Avilés and Gozón)”, promoted by Field Iberia Bess 2, S. L. The resolution, dated September 9, 2026, is published in the Official Gazette of the Principality of Asturias no. 183, of September 22, 2026, and concludes that the project should not be subject to an ordinary environmental assessment.

The file, processed under Law 21/2013, of December 9, on environmental assessment, was resolved through the simplified procedure as the installation fits into Annex II, Group 4 (“Energy Industry”), section n), relating to stand-alone energy storage using electrochemical batteries. The Regional Ministry acts as the environmental body of the Principality of Asturias by virtue of Decree 22/2023, of July 31, on the restructuring of the regional ministries.

The chronology of the process is recorded in the resolution itself:

• On January 16, 2026, the Environmental Assessment Service received the request for initiation and the environmental document from the substantive body.
• On March 24, 2026, the document was submitted for consultation by administrations and interested parties for 20 days.
• On April 7, 2026, an announcement was placed in BOPA no. 65 for unknown interested parties.
• The reference file is IA-IA-0013/2026//AUTO/2026/1030.

Conditions focused on fire risk

The report requires specific measures for stationary energy storage systems (ESS). The promoter must prepare and register a self-protection plan with the Emergency Service of the Principality of Asturias (SEPA) in accordance with Royal Decree 393/2007, of March 23, and the plant shall have hydrants with guaranteed flow and pressure for at least one hour, according to Royal Decree 513/2017, of May 22.

Internal and access roads must support fire trucks of at least 40 tons, and the perimeter fencing shall act as a firewall with two hours of protection. The modules will incorporate liquid or air cooling, early gas detection, smoke and temperature detection with triple redundancy, automatic activation, an extinction system, overpressure relief, and permanent remote control.

The ESS must comply with UL94 and UL940A, IEC 62933, and NFPA 855 standards, and before commissioning, the technical manager shall justify compliance before the competent body in industrial matters.

Noise, electromagnetic fields and industrial safety

Regarding acoustics, Law 37/2003, of November 17, on Noise and Royal Decree 1367/2007, of October 19, shall apply, with the obligation to totally or partially halt the installation if legal limits are exceeded. Regarding electromagnetic fields, compliance with Council Recommendation 1999/519/EC and Royal Decree 299/2016, of July 22, shall be verified for both the plants and the 50 kV evacuation power line.

Industrial safety shall be governed by Royal Decree 337/2014, of May 9, Royal Decree 842/2002, of August 2, and the new Fire Safety Regulation for industrial establishments, approved by Royal Decree 164/2025, of March 4.

Water, waste, and environmental protection

The direct or indirect discharge of water and waste products without prior authorization is generally prohibited, and the promoter must design a collection and treatment system for cooling water to prevent infiltration, in accordance with Royal Decree 35/2023, of January 24, which approves the Hydrological Plan of the Western Cantabrian. Waste shall be managed according to Law 7/2022, of April 8, and lithium-ion batteries at the end of their useful life according to Royal Decree 106/2008, of February 1.

Furthermore, perimeter visual screening, neutral colors, an impassable rigid fence, low-consumption directional lighting, the use of native species in restoration, and semi-annual leakage control of SF6 at the transformation center are required.

Urban planning in Avilés and environmental monitoring

The urban viability of the underground power line section crossing Avilés must be justified before the city council, accrediting the general interest and the impossibility of an alternative route. To improve neighborhood acceptance, an alternative route in the La Granda area is recommended, utilizing streets or existing line easements leading to the SET Tabiella substation.

The promoter must draft a new Environmental Monitoring Program with pre-operational and operational acoustic campaigns, verification of the values of Recommendation 1999/519/EC, and a photographic report of the installation. The report will expire if the project is not authorized within a maximum period of four years from its publication.

The ruling clears the main environmental procedure for a large-scale energy project in the Avilés region, but binds it to demanding conditions regarding fire prevention, noise, and aquifer protection that will shape its final design and its relationship with the neighbors.

Source: Official Gazette of the Principality of Asturias, no. 183, of September 22, 2026, section I. Principality of Asturias (Other Provisions), pp. 1-6 (official reference: Code 2026-07609).