Spanish towns halt major solar and wind projects amid local opposition

The Villena municipal council declared the urban planning licence for a 43‑megawatt solar plant in Los Alhorines expired, effectively stopping the project. The decision follows earlier actions that blocked or modified large photovoltaic installations in Peña Rubia and Sierra Salinas, with officials citing concerns for the landscape, agriculture and local heritage.

In the neighbouring region of Aragon, the Matarranya comarca approved a proposal, backed by the Teruel Existe movement and several political parties, to reject the reactivation of large wind farms proposed by Repsol and Green Capital, as well as a new high‑voltage transmission line. The council reaffirmed its "commitment to defend the territory" against projects it says would damage the environment and scenery. Both cases illustrate a growing resistance in Spanish municipalities to large renewable‑energy megaprojects.