30 MW Battery in Soria: Authorization for Hybridization with OPDE Trévago 1 Solar

What does this regulation establish?

The resolution grants two simultaneous authorizations on the same project:

• Prior administrative authorization: confirms the viability of the project from an energy perspective and its fit within electrical system planning.
• Administrative construction authorization: enables the effective start of works for the battery module and its evacuation infrastructure.

The storage module OPDE Trévago 1 Hybridization will be connected to the grid through underground lines at 30 kV to a sectioning center, taking advantage of the already existing evacuation infrastructure of the photovoltaic plant OPDE Trévago 1 to the Trévago 220 kV substation of Red Eléctrica.

The differentiating element of the case is the application of RD 997/2025, which introduces a special regime for storage hybridizations:

• Processing with reduced timelines in accordance with article 6 of RD 997/2025.
• Exemption from simplified environmental assessment when the circumstances provided in the regulation are met.
• Process specifically designed to accelerate electrical system reinforcement through storage hybridized with existing renewables.

Economic and operational impact

For developer Planta Solar OPDE 42, SLU, the authorization represents the unblocking of a storage investment that complements an already operational photovoltaic plant. Hybridizing storage with an existing solar plant allows:

• Shifting generation to hours of higher prices in the wholesale market, improving revenue per MWh produced.
• Reducing energy spillage during network saturation hours, increasing energy effectively sold.
• Accessing flexibility and adjustment services from the system operator (Red Eléctrica), which reward the rapid response capacity of batteries.

From the electrical system perspective, the incorporation of 30 MW of storage at an already existing node —the Trévago 220 kV substation— optimizes available network infrastructure without requiring new transport investments.

Accelerated processing under RD 997/2025 also reduces opportunity cost for the developer: fewer months of proceedings means less time until the start of operational income.

Who does it affect?

• Planta Solar OPDE 42, SLU: direct developer, holder of the granted authorizations.
• Municipalities of Fuentestrún, Trévago and Matalebreras (Soria): territories where the project is physically located.
• Other storage hybridization developers: the case is a reference example of how to apply RD 997/2025 to obtain authorizations with reduced timelines and without simplified environmental assessment.
• Advisors and consultants for renewable projects: must know the procedure of article 6 of RD 997/2025 to correctly advise clients with existing photovoltaic plants who want to add storage.
• Red Eléctrica de España: as manager of the Trévago 220 kV substation, the project's evacuation point.

Practical example

A developer with an operational photovoltaic plant similar to OPDE Trévago 1 —with installed capacity in the 30-40 MW range and access to a Red Eléctrica substation— can follow exactly the same path as OPDE 42 to add storage:

1. Size the battery module (in this case, 30 MW) and design evacuation through underground lines at 30 kV to a sectioning center that connects with existing infrastructure.
2. Rely on article 6 of RD 997/2025 to request processing with reduced timelines and verify if the project meets the assumptions for exemption from simplified environmental assessment.
3. Submit the project to public information and reports from bodies. In the case of OPDE Trévago 1 Hybridization, the result was zero objections and approval or positive silence from all consulted bodies.
4. Obtain prior and construction authorization simultaneously, as occurred in this resolution, significantly shortening the timeline until the start of works.

What should companies do now?

1. If you have an existing photovoltaic plant: analyze whether you meet the assumptions of RD 997/2025 to add battery storage with accelerated processing. This case demonstrates that it is viable to obtain prior and construction authorization simultaneously and without simplified environmental assessment.
2. Size the storage module based on the installed capacity of your solar plant and the evacuation capacity available at the connection substation.
3. Design evacuation taking advantage of existing infrastructure: the model of underground lines at 30 kV to a sectioning center, reusing access to the Red Eléctrica substation, reduces civil works costs and speeds up body reports.
4. Prepare the case for public information with solid technical documentation: in this case, the absence of objections and unanimous approval from consulted bodies are indicators of well-prepared processing.
5. Consult a specialist advisor in energy regulations to verify the exact fit of your project within article 6 of RD 997/2025 before starting the administrative proceedings.

Official source

Consult complete regulation at official source

Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-23498