The Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO) has granted the Administrative Construction Authorisation (AAC) to 283 renewable energy projects that were required to obtain it before July 25, in accordance with the deadlines and milestones established by Royal Decree-Law 23/2020.
The projects total 28,123 MW, their execution will require a total investment of more than 17 billion euro and will generate some 300,000 jobs, reinforcing the renewable energy growth path established by the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC).
A total of 428 renewable generation projects had begun the process with the intention of obtaining the AAC, but only 321 obtained the favourable Environmental Impact Declaration, and in 70% of the cases with mandatory conditions to be able to materialise.
43 wind projects, 239 photovoltaic projects and one hydroelectric project
Once the milestone of 25 July was reached, and after a complex iteration with the promoters and the different administrations to verify that these conditions are met, a total of 283 projects have obtained the AAC, 66% of those that began the process. Of all these projects, 43 are wind, with an associated capacity of 2,680 MW, while 239 are photovoltaic, with an associated capacity of 24,870 MW, to which is added a pumped hydroelectric power plant of 573 MW.
MITECO has granted the AACs within the scope of its powers, without prejudice to permits, licences and other authorisations that are the responsibility of other public administrations, such as urban planning licenses.
Strengthening the path of the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan
All authorised projects can begin construction immediately and must be commissioned within three years, contributing to meeting the objectives of the PNIEC, whose draft update for 2023-2030 proposes tripling the photovoltaic capacity currently installed, to exceed 76 GW, and doubling wind power to exceed 62 GW, to cover 81% of electricity with clean energy by the end of the decade.
According to a conservative estimate, the construction of the facilities will require a total investment of more than 17 billion euro and will generate some 300,000 jobs – more than 41,000 jobs associated with wind energy and more than 260,000 jobs in photovoltaics – with a special impact on rural areas. It will also combat global warming by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, reduce fuel imports and strengthen the country’s security of supply, while providing cheap energy for the business sector and consumers as a whole, increasing the competitiveness of the economy and generating more activity and more employment.
Milestones in the process
Royal Decree- Law 23/20 establishes time limits for electricity generation projects to meet certain processing milestones from the moment they receive access and connection rights to the electricity grids, under penalty of losing said rights. The processing of projects with more than 50 MW or located in more than one autonomous community is the responsibility of MITECO, while the others are the responsibility of the autonomous communities.
Royal Decree-Law 23/20 establishes that projects with access and connection rights received between December 31, 2017 and July 25, 2020 – the date of approval of said regulation – must obtain the AAC before July 25.
