Policy analysis of authorisation procedures for wind energy deployment in Spain

Repowering: An actual possibility for wind energy in Spain in a new scenario without feed-in-tariffs

“…Under this stable regulatory framework and supported by an adequate legislation to facilitate the administrative authorization of the plants [5], at the end of March 2012, wind energy reached a degree of supply higher than 25% of the electricity demand in the Spanish market central bus-bars 3 [6].…”

Emerging Renewable Energy Landscapes in Southern European Countries

“…In Spain, energy planning is the responsibility of the Central Government, although the regions play a very important role in the decision-making process. Local governments (municipalities) on the other hand play only a secondary role in the authorisation procedure, which at times has resulted in a lack of awareness of project development and the absence of strong opposition to renewable power projects (Frolova and Pérez Pérez 2011 ;Iglesias et al 2011 ). In France, in spite of a recent move towards regionalisation, energy planning remains a State prerogative.…”

A cognitive mapping approach to understanding public objection to energy infrastructure: The case of wind power in Galicia, Spain

“…In contrast, the Spanish regional governments (AACC) play a major role in both energy planning and facility siting in Spain. Each region sets its own energy plans and grants authorizations for wind energy siting [23]. There is also a financial incentive for local authorities to welcome wind farms: they provide tax revenues to the municipalities and can be important sources of income in an often economically depressed rural context (referred to below).…”

“…Besides these socioeconomic factors, though, there are also institutional elements that may explain the scant local opposition to wind energy in Spain, such as the centralised model of spatial planning and the late development of landscape policies [22]. Local councils have little power in the wind energy decisionmaking process and play a secondary role, with virtually no means to reject wind farm proposals or to zone land as unsuitable for wind power developments [23]. In contrast, the Spanish regional governments (AACC) play a major role in both energy planning and facility siting in Spain.…”