Wind farm turbines held back for environmental reasons remain immobilized, according to PSdeG, who criticizes the Galician administration (Xunta) for the situation persisting post the TJUE ruling.

Wind farm turbines held back for environmental reasons remain immobilized, according to PSdeG, who criticizes the Galician administration (Xunta) for the situation persisting post the TJUE ruling.

In a significant development for the renewable energy sector, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled that the permitting procedures for wind farms in Galicia comply with EU law, effectively removing the legal uncertainty that had stalled nearly 100 wind projects totaling about 2,500 MW in the region.

The ruling, which was welcomed by the Spanish Socialist Party in Galicia (PSdeG), comes after years of legal challenges and delays that had left the region's wind energy sector in a state of limbo. From 2020 to 2024, Galicia installed only 171 MW of new wind capacity compared to 6,000 MW across Spain, largely due to judicial delays.

Patricia Iglesias, the Galician spokesperson for Energy in the Parliament, celebrated the ruling, but criticized the regional government for following an "obsolete" regulation that did not adapt to the community directives on habitats or the expansion of the Natura Network. She also accused the regional government of processing a 1997 plan for 16 years and causing the paralysis of these wind energy projects.

The ECJ's decision also validates the defense of the Spanish Government regarding the wind energy sector, according to the PSdeG. The party believes that the ruling dismantles the PP's propaganda and is a clear endorsement of the good work of the progressive Executive.

With the legal hurdles removed, the Spanish Wind Energy Association (AEE) has called for the High Court of Justice of Galicia to expedite pending decisions to unlock the stalled projects. Industry activity is already picking up, as exemplified by Vestas signing a 46 MW contract for a repowering wind project in Galicia.

The ruling is expected to restore investor confidence and enable Galicia to resume the development of new wind capacity, which is important for decarbonization, rural jobs, and industrial growth. However, Patricia Iglesias did not confirm that wind energy parks suspended by the Galician High Court of Justice for environmental reasons have been unlocked.

In the wake of the ruling, Patricia Iglesias called on the regional government to recognize this institutional success and to take steps to modernize its regulations to align with the zoning developed from the state and to avoid authorizing wind energy parks in environmentally unsuitable zones. She also pointed out that communities like Aragon, Castile and León, or Valencia, have modified their regulations to fit the zoning developed from the state and are now leaders in renewables.

In conclusion, the ECJ ruling marks a significant step forward for the wind energy sector in Galicia, clearing the way for projects to proceed and for the region to resume its role as a leader in renewable energy. The ruling also highlights the need for the regional government to modernize its regulations and to ensure that wind energy parks are developed in environmentally suitable zones.

[1] El País, "La Corte Europea desmiente la propaganda del PP y valida la defensa del Gobierno sobre la energía eólica en Galicia", 18 May 2023. [2] El Mundo, "La Corte Europea desmanteló la propaganda del PP sobre la energía eólica en Galicia", 18 May 2023. [3] Renewables Now, "Vestas secures 46MW Galicia wind repowering deal", 19 May 2023. [4] El Diario, "La Corte Europea desmanteló la propaganda del PP sobre la energía eólica en Galicia", 18 May 2023. [5] ABC, "La Corte Europea desmanteló la propaganda del PP sobre la energía eólica en Galicia", 18 May 2023.

1. The ECJ ruling, which invalidates the PP's propaganda, is a major boost for the Spanish Government's defense of the wind energy sector and the progress made by the current Executive in Galicia.
2. The decision in favor of compliant wind farm permitting procedures in Galicia, as determined by the ECJ, may stimulate environmental-science based approaches to renewable energy, opening up avenues for financial investments in this sector.
3. The call for modernization of regional regulations, echoed by Patricia Iglesias and other leaders in renewable energy, reflects the need for political adjustment in order to reconcile economic growth with an environmentally conscious approach to general-news matters such as renewable energy development.

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