The Spanish government has given the green light to a map of wind farms to be built offshore. Spain does not currently have such a facility, unlike Germany or Denmark.
Spain’s energy transition is about to take a giant leap into the sea. Maritime space plan Poem), approved by the government, among other activities, Offshore areas that are considered suitable for the establishment of wind farms. In total, 19 locations Distributed on different Spanish coasts, it is considered suitable for this activity, a priori without environmental impact.
Offshore wind turbines: 0.46% of the Spanish marine area
Spain does not haveThere are no offshore wind farms, so it is a critical step to promote the launch of this power generation technology. In total, 5,000 square kilometers of Spanish coast Dedicated to the development of offshore wind energy, which represents 0.46% of the territorial waters of the Spanish maritime space (totaling 1 million square kilometres). the Offshore wind turbines can operate an average of 4 to 5,000 hours per year. That’s much more than they can do on Earth and about three times as much as photovoltaic systems. Thus, offshore wind will provide a more stable and stable resource, greatly facilitating its integration into the electrical system.
Where are offshore wind farms located?
Concretely, 19 wind farms are planned in four Spanish regions, as it will be possible to develop this new form of renewable energy, essentially floating. in the North Atlantic (Galicia and Asturias), this technology can be developed in regions with a total area of 2,688 square kilometers. off the Andalusian coast, between Malaga and AlmeriaIt has an area of 1,222 km2. In Canary Islands (with locations in Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura), 561.9 km² and within walking distance of the coast, only 2 km.
in the area Rose Bayin Catalonia, a reserved area of 250 square kilometres, at a distance of 12 kilometers from the coast at its closest point, and at a depth of 100 to 500 metres, while on North coast of MenorcaThere will be two wind farms with a total area of 147 square kilometers and 5 kilometers from the coast.
Consultation lasted 3 years
After more than three years of work, the selection of the best wind sites was refined taking into account the results of extensive consultations with autonomous communities, city councils, business organizations and various social groups, including those who opposed offshore wind.
Thus, in the final map, A.J 38% shrink the area that was initially selected As a candidate for the establishment of wind farms compared to the proposal submitted in June 2021 before the consultations. Some wind farms were already in place Contrast with sensitive areaslike hunting grounds. In fact, the fishing industry still puts strong pressure on projects. This is the case in Galicia, where some areas have been reduced to preserve fishing.
in Canary Islandsinitially selected regions were excluded because of Proximity to tourist areas (Maspalomas on Gran Canaria, for example). The same is true for a region Cabo de Gatain Andalusia, is neglected due to its proximity to a protectorate, while the planned areas off the coast Cadiz It was “abandoned” for reasonsIts impact on fishing and tourism.
SOS Costa Brava platform
The Bay of Roses, in Catalonia, was also a theme Numerous protests. The SOS Costa Brava platform has it Repeat his refusal from the wind energy region, and estimating that “Its exceptional natural values“Today it is left unprotected. The affected marine area is located.”In the middle of protected areas“, and will produce, depending on the platform”Serious ground impacts on three natural parks Empordà (Cap de Creus, Montgrí-Medes-Baix Ter, Aiguamolls de l’Empordà)“.
The geographic information used and generated in the POEMs can be viewed, at the appropriate scale and accuracy, in the INFOMAR information system of the Ministry of Environmental Transformation.
