Key data
| Regulation | Resolution of June 25, 2026, from the General Directorate of Energy Policy and Mines |
|---|---|
| Publication | July 20, 2026 |
| Entry into force | July 20, 2026 |
| Promoter | Esmeralda Solar, SL |
| Storage module | «Esmeralda» — 39.6 MW of installed capacity |
| Existing solar park | «Esmeralda» — 46.2 MW of installed capacity |
| Location | Alcalá de Guadaíra (Seville) |
| Applicable regulatory framework | Royal Decree 997/2025, of November 5, on strengthening the electrical system |
| Category | Energy |
| Year | 2026 |
Esmeralda Solar, SL already has prior administrative authorization and construction authorization for its «Esmeralda» battery storage module of 39.6 MW, in Alcalá de Guadaíra (Seville). The Resolution of June 25, 2026, from the General Directorate of Energy Policy and Mines, published in the Official State Gazette on July 20, 2026, formalizes the authorization and establishes the technical conditions that the promoter must comply with.
The project benefits from the simplified procedure and exemption from environmental assessment provided for in the Royal Decree 997/2025, of November 5, on strengthening the electrical system, which significantly accelerates processing timelines compared to the ordinary route.
What does this regulation establish?
The resolution grants Esmeralda Solar, SL two simultaneous authorizations for the «Esmeralda» storage module:
- Prior administrative authorization: enables the project from the energy and industrial policy perspective.
- Administrative construction authorization: allows the start of construction of the battery module and its evacuation infrastructure.
The key technical elements of the project are as follows:
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Storage module | «Esmeralda», 39.6 MW of installed capacity |
| Hybridized solar park | «Esmeralda», 46.2 MW, already existing in Alcalá de Guadaíra |
| Evacuation infrastructure | Underground line at 30 kV to a sectioning center |
| Final connection point | Don Rodrigo substation, 400 kV, of Red Eléctrica |
| Leveraged infrastructure | The existing one from the solar park to the Don Rodrigo substation |
| Processing framework | Simplified procedure + exemption from environmental assessment (RD 997/2025) |
| Specific conditions | Compliance with technical conditions of consulted bodies, especially regarding cultural heritage |
A relevant aspect of the procedure: processing was initiated in an accumulated manner with other similar projects, but was separated for individual resolution, which allowed this case to be resolved autonomously without depending on the progress of other projects.
Economic and operational impact
For Esmeralda Solar, SL, the authorization means being able to advance to the construction phase of the battery module. Hybridization with the 46.2 MW solar park allows optimizing the management of generated energy: storing surpluses during high production hours and releasing them to the grid at times of higher demand or price, improving the profitability of the existing asset.
From the sector's perspective, this resolution has important reference value:
- It confirms that Royal Decree 997/2025 is operational as a simplified processing route for solar-battery hybridization projects.
- The exemption from environmental assessment significantly reduces administrative timelines and costs compared to the ordinary procedure.
- The use of existing evacuation infrastructure (to the Don Rodrigo 400 kV substation) minimizes additional civil works investment.
- The separation of the case from other similar projects shows that the Administration can resolve individually, without blockages from third-party projects in joint processing.
Who does it affect?
- Esmeralda Solar, SL: direct promoter, obligated to comply with the imposed technical conditions, especially regarding cultural heritage.
- Photovoltaic park operators in Spain evaluating hybridization with storage: this resolution is a practical precedent of the applicable procedure.
- Promoters of energy storage projects in Andalusia and other autonomous communities with state-level processing.
- Legal and technical advisors in the energy sector managing authorization cases under Royal Decree 997/2025.
- Red Eléctrica de España and managers of the Don Rodrigo 400 kV substation, as the project's connection point.
- Cultural heritage bodies with competencies in the Alcalá de Guadaíra area, which have imposed technical conditions on the project.
Practical example
An operator with an existing photovoltaic park in Andalusia who wants to add a battery storage module can follow the same path as Esmeralda Solar:
- Adopt the simplified procedure of Royal Decree 997/2025, which eliminates the need for ordinary environmental assessment.
- Design the evacuation of the battery module through an underground line at 30 kV to a sectioning center, connecting with the already existing evacuation infrastructure of the solar park.
- Coordinate with consulted bodies —especially those for cultural heritage— to incorporate their technical conditions from the project's outset, avoiding processing delays.
- Request the separation of the case if the project was processed jointly with others, to obtain individual resolution without depending on third-party progress.
In Esmeralda Solar's case, the 39.6 MW battery represents 85.7% of the power of the existing 46.2 MW solar park, indicating a commitment to storage capacity almost equivalent to generation, maximizing asset flexibility.
What should companies do now?
- If you are Esmeralda Solar, SL: review and comply with all technical conditions imposed by consulted bodies, with special attention to cultural heritage requirements in Alcalá de Guadaíra, before starting any work.
- If you have a photovoltaic park and are studying hybridization with batteries: analyze whether your project can benefit from Royal Decree 997/2025 for simplified processing and environmental assessment exemption. This resolution confirms the procedure is viable.
- If you have projects accumulated with other cases: consider requesting separation to obtain individual resolution and avoid being blocked by third-party progress.
- If you manage project evacuation: verify the possibility of leveraging existing infrastructure to the connection substation, as Esmeralda Solar did with the line to the Don Rodrigo 400 kV substation, to reduce civil works investment.
- If you are an advisor or consultant in the sector: document this resolution as a reference for successful processing under RD 997/2025 for future solar-battery hybridization cases.
Frequently asked questions
What is the simplified procedure of Royal Decree 997/2025 and what advantages does it have?
The Royal Decree 997/2025, of November 5, on strengthening the electrical system, establishes a simplified procedure for certain energy storage projects hybridized with existing renewable installations. Its main advantage is the exemption from environmental assessment, which significantly reduces administrative timelines and costs compared to the ordinary procedure. Esmeralda Solar used this framework to authorize its 39.6 MW battery in Alcalá de Guadaíra.
What conditions must Esmeralda Solar comply with after authorization?
The promoter must comply with the technical conditions imposed by consulted bodies during processing, with special emphasis on cultural heritage requirements in the Alcalá de Guadaíra (Seville) area. These conditions are binding and must be respected before and during construction of the «Esmeralda» storage module.
How is energy from the «Esmeralda» battery module evacuated?
Evacuation is carried out through an underground line at 30 kV to a sectioning center, leveraging the already existing evacuation infrastructure of the «Esmeralda» photovoltaic park to the Don Rodrigo substation, 400 kV, managed by Red Eléctrica. This avoids the need to build new high-voltage evacuation infrastructure.
Why was Esmeralda Solar's case separated from other similar projects?
Processing was initially conducted in an accumulated manner with other similar projects, but was subsequently separated for individual resolution. This allows each case to be resolved autonomously, without being blocked by the processing status of other projects. It is a relevant option for promoters wanting to accelerate obtaining their authorization.
What is the power relationship between the battery and Esmeralda Solar's solar park?
The «Esmeralda» storage module has a power of 39.6 MW, compared to the 46.2 MW of the existing photovoltaic park with which it will hybridize. This means the battery represents approximately 85.7% of generation power, a high ratio that maximizes storage capacity and asset flexibility in the electricity market.
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-2026-15833