Politics · Spain · 6 hrs ago
Catalonia rejects wind farm over its impact on the landscape
Catalonia has rejected a wind farm for the first time on landscape grounds, issuing an unfavorable environmental assessment.
The decision affects four planned turbines in Pla de la Tallada, in the Baix Empordà area, with a combined capacity of 22.8 megawatts.
The assessment found the project’s main environmental impacts compatible, but the Girona planning commission objected to its effect on the Montgrí landscape.
Wind industry group EolicCat called the decision arbitrary and said it could create uncertainty for other renewable energy projects.
The regional government says the project’s administrative process is not over and has left open the possibility it will proceed if it complies with the law.
The dispute matters as Girona has no operating wind farms, while Catalonia’s renewables supplied 15% of electricity demand in 2025, against a 50% target for 2030.
Catalonia issued an unfavorable environmental impact declaration for the Pla de la Tallada wind farm, citing its effect on the landscape.
The project comprises four turbines with a combined capacity of 22.8 megawatts in Baix Empordà.
The decision’s only stated reason for rejection was the Girona territorial urban planning commission’s assessment of effects on the Montgrí scenic backdrop.
Wind industry group EolicCat called the decision arbitrary, while the Catalan government said the project’s administrative process was not over.
- Who
- The Catalan government issued the decision; EolicCat represents the Catalan wind sector.
- What
- The government issued an unfavorable environmental impact declaration for the Pla de la Tallada wind farm.
- When
- The renewable energy commission reached its agreement on October 21, 2026.
- Where
- Pla de la Tallada, in Baix Empordà, Catalonia.
- Why
- The stated reason was the project’s impact on the Montgrí scenic backdrop.
EolicCat
Catalan government
Reason for the decision
EolicCat
EolicCat called it arbitrary and based on subjective assessment, saying the project had passed assessments of objective environmental impacts.
Catalan government
The government said the project’s administrative process was not over and expressed confidence it would proceed in full compliance with the law.
The renewable energy commission agreed that the main environmental impacts were compatible, but the project was rejected over its effect on the Montgrí scenic backdrop.
EolicCat criticized the decision, and the Catalan government said the project’s administrative process was not over.
- Turbines
- 4
- Combined capacity
- 22.8 MW
- Location
- Baix Empordà, Catalonia
- Decision date
- October 21, 2026
- Wind capacity target for Baix Empordà by 2050
- 569 MW
What people are saying
It is an arbitrary decision: the project has passed the assessment of all objective environmental impacts and falls because someone considers that it alters a scenic backdrop
convinced