Repsol expands Aguayo II and expropriates estates in three Cantabrian municipalities

The Government Delegation in Cantabria has called for the drawing up of records prior to the occupation of the estates affected by the expansion of the Aguayo Reversible Hydroelectric Plant (Aguayo II), promoted by Repsol Generación Eléctrica, SAU. The announcement is published in the Official Gazette of Cantabria no. 181, of September 21, 2026, within section 5 of Compulsory Expropriation (CVE-2026-7139), and summons the owners to the town halls of San Miguel de Aguayo, Molledo, and Bárcena de Pie de Concha between October 6 and 8.

The procedure derives from the Resolution of the Directorate General for Energy Policy and Mines of the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge of June 11, 2026 (BOE no. 155, of June 26), which granted Repsol Generación Eléctrica, SAU the prior administrative authorization for modifications and the administrative authorization for the construction of Aguayo II and specifically declared its public utility. This resolution culminates the process opened by the previous resolution of January 30, 2026 (BOE no. 44, of February 19), which established a series of project modifications submitted for public consultation in March 2026.

The declaration of public utility, in accordance with Article 56 of Law 24/2013, of December 26, on the Electricity Sector, implies the necessity of occupying the affected assets and rights and entails their urgent occupation for the purposes of Article 52 of the Compulsory Expropriation Law. The call is supported by Article 150 of Royal Decree 1955/2000, of December 1, and Article 73.2 of Law 40/2015, of October 1.

A project with 1,014 MW of turbining and 1,181 MW of pumping

The object of the expropriation is the construction project for the expansion of the plant and its evacuation infrastructures, with a turbining capacity of 1,014 MW and a pumping capacity of 1,181 MW, in the municipal districts of San Miguel de Aguayo, Bárcena de Pie de Concha, and Molledo.

The Energy Sustainability Plan of Cantabria 2021-2030, approved by Decree 60/2026, of August 13 (BOC no. 159, of August 19, 2026, CVE-2026-6563), identifies this expansion as the most relevant private investment for electricity generation in the community, with approximately €1,000 million planned, and notes that the Aguayo pumping plant currently has 340 MW.

Appearances in three town halls between October 6 and 8

The owners must attend in person or be represented by a duly authorized person, presenting their National Identity Document, documents proving ownership, and the most recent Property Tax (IBI) receipt, and may be accompanied, at their own expense, by an expert or notary. The established schedule is as follows:

• San Miguel de Aguayo City Council: October 6, 2026, from 09:00 and 16:00 hours, and October 7, 2026, from 09:00 hours.
• Molledo City Council: October 7, 2026, from 13:20 and 16:00 hours.
• Bárcena de Pie de Concha City Council: October 8, 2026, from 09:00 hours.

The order of the survey will appear on the Edicts Board of each city council and will be communicated to each interested party via a summons notice. This publication also serves to notify the resolution in cases of unknown ownership, unknown address, or attempted notification without effect, in accordance with Article 44 of Law 39/2015, of October 1.

Affected properties, owners, and areas

The individualized list includes more than 80 rural and urban properties distributed among the three municipalities, with occupation areas under full ownership, underground easements, temporary occupation, and access easements. Among the largest affected areas are:

• San Miguel de Aguayo City Council and San Miguel de Aguayo Council: 44,990 m² of scrubland, 29,322.56 m² of pastures, 24,398.60 m² of pastures, and 18,131.40 m² of meadow.
• Nelly Cebalos Miranda and Fernando Fernández Lavid: 12,006.93 m² of meadow in Bárcena de Pie de Concha.
• Fernando Fernández Lavid and Felisa Rivero Álvarez: 9,085.81 m² of meadow in Molledo.
• Bishopric of Santander, San Martín de Quevedo Neighborhood Council, Bárcena de Pie de Concha Neighborhood Council, SAT No. 1289, and Los Heros SAT No. 1289 are also among the affected owners.

Allegations and beneficiary status

Owners and other interested parties may submit in duplicate as many allegations as they deem appropriate to the Industry and Energy Area of the Government Delegation in Cantabria, located at Calvo Sotelo Street, 25, 39002 Santander, under Article 56.2 of the current Compulsory Expropriation Regulations, solely for the purpose of correcting possible errors in the list of assets and rights.

In the expropriation file, Repsol Generación Eléctrica, SAU assumes the status of beneficiary. The announcement was signed in Santander on September 3, 2026, by the Government Delegate in Cantabria, Pedro Casares Hontañón.

The call opens the effective occupation phase of the largest energy project currently underway in Cantabria, which affects private owners, local entities, and ecclesiastical bodies from three municipalities, and which the regional plan itself positions as a key piece to reduce the region’s external electrical dependence.

Source: Official Gazette of Cantabria, no. 181, of September 21, 2026, section 5. Compulsory Expropriation, pages 46275-46280 (official reference: CVE-2026-7139).