The Xunta de Galicia has taken a firm stance on the energy transition, driving its own model that seeks to balance the development of renewable projects, particularly wind energy, with social acceptance and mitigation of local impacts.

According to Alejandro Labanda, Head of Energy Transition at beBartlet, in an interview with Energía Estratégica España, the transition process in Galicia faces considerable challenges, both from a technical and social perspective, which require careful and well-planned intervention.

This is one of the Spanish regions with the greatest potential for wind energy development. However, as Labanda mentions, “the situation is complicated.”

One of the most concerning factors is the judicialization process that has affected numerous onshore and offshore wind projects in the region, slowing down sector development.

Labanda explains that every new proposed wind farm faces multiple legal challenges, which has “paralyzed the new installed capacity in recent years,” affecting not only technical progress but also having profound economic and social implications.

Historically, Galicia has been an industrial and logistical hub, with a strong reliance on sectors such as fishing and tourism, but also on industry.

The lack of development in renewable energies could jeopardize the region’s ability to attract new industrial investments and decarbonize its economy.

As the beBartlet expert points out, “if renewables are not developed, new industry will neither be maintained nor attracted.”

The focus on offshore wind energy

One of the most promising elements of the Xunta’s plan is the development of offshore wind energy, as Galicia, with its extensive coastline, is an ideal territory for such projects.

Currently, it is the community with the most capacity, considering the pre-projects submitted to MITECO. The total is 8,958 MW, which is 38.35% of the total 23,356 MW.

Labanda highlights that “along with the Canary Islands, it could be one of the most interesting territories for offshore wind development.” However, he acknowledges that this path is not without challenges.

One of the main sources of opposition comes from the fishing sector. Galicia is a fishing region par excellence, with ports that represent a significant part of the local economy.

This sector has actively opposed offshore wind energy projects, fearing that the installations will interfere with fishing areas and affect their livelihood.

“The fishing community has great mobilization capacity,” says the expert, and in this sense, he believes that “if conflicts with the community continue, it will not be a suitable area to start the auction schedule.”

The Xunta’s strategies to mitigate opposition

In light of this situation, the Xunta de Galicia has developed a proactive approach to reduce opposition and advance the implementation of renewable energy.

Among the most innovative measures is the Natural Resources Law, which prioritizes wind projects linked to industrial developments, seeking to more visibly integrate the economic benefits of renewables with local activity, which is something new for Spain.

This project includes the creation of a public energy company in Galicia, which will allow investment in renewable projects and manage part of the electrical production.

This model not only aims to boost local development but also to create a positive impact on consumers by reducing energy costs. In Labanda’s words, the Xunta “wants to show a tangible impact of renewable deployment on industrial attraction and price reduction for consumers.”

Constant dialogue and citizen participation are other key pieces of the Galician Government’s strategy.

In this regard, Labanda emphasizes the importance of raising awareness and the need for offshore wind project developers to work closely with the affected communities, particularly the fishing sector.

“Dialogue, dialogue, and dialogue,” he stresses, stating that the only way forward is to sit down with local actors, explain the projects, and show how fishing activity can be compatible with offshore wind development.

Regulatory and social challenges

Despite the measures adopted, Galicia continues to face several challenges. One of the main issues is the lack of a clear regulatory framework at the national level that allows autonomous communities to actively participate in the planning and development of offshore wind energy projects.

As the beBartlet executive describes, until now, the developing companies have advanced their projects mainly with the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO), without prior consultation with the regional governments.

This approach has generated tensions, and the Xunta is seeking to change this paradigm, advocating for greater involvement in the initial phases of projects, as emphasized by the Director General of Energy Planning and Mining, Pablo Fernández Vila, at one of the Future Energy Summit events in Madrid.

A future full of opportunities

Despite the challenges, Galicia has enormous potential in the field of renewable energy, particularly in offshore wind.

With a target capacity of 3 GW for offshore energy in Spain, it is crucial for the region to move forward in this direction to meet its climate commitments and ensure a sustainable energy future.

Labanda concludes that the key to success lies in doing things right from the beginning, fostering renewable deployment “with social peace and a positive impact.”

The Xunta has taken the reins of the public discussion with actions, understanding that the only way to achieve this is through the creation of spaces where local communities are protagonists and direct beneficiaries of renewables, ensuring that their development is inclusive and respectful of the region’s traditional economic activities, such as fishing.