Key data
| Regulation | Resolution of May 9, 2025, from the General Directorate of Energy Policy and Mines |
|---|---|
| Publication | October 13, 2026 |
| Entry into force | Not specified in the resolution |
| Affected parties | Naturgy Renovables, SLU and renewable energy sector in Almería |
| Category | Energy |
| Authorized project | BESS Tabernas II — battery storage system |
| BESS power | 19.8 MW installed |
| Associated solar plant | Tabernas II photovoltaic park — 48.8 MW |
| Location | Tabernas, Almería |
| BOE reference | BOE-A-2026-21303 |
Naturgy Renovables, SLU, now has the green light to build the BESS Tabernas II energy storage system alongside its 48.8 MW solar plant in Tabernas (Almería). The Resolution of May 9, 2025 from the General Directorate of Energy Policy and Mines grants both prior administrative authorization and construction authorization, published in the BOE with reference BOE-A-2026-21303.
For the renewable sector, this resolution is a clear signal: solar + battery hybridization projects have a viable administrative path and support from all consulted administrations.
What does this regulation establish?
The resolution grants Naturgy Renovables, SLU, two simultaneous authorizations for the BESS Tabernas II project:
- Prior administrative authorization: enables the project from an energy and administrative perspective.
- Administrative construction authorization: allows the start of installation works for the battery system and its evacuation infrastructure.
The authorized technical elements are as follows:
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Storage system | BESS Tabernas II — batteries with 19.8 MW installed power |
| Hybridized solar plant | Tabernas II photovoltaic park — 48.8 MW existing |
| Evacuation infrastructure | Underground lines at 30 kV |
| Grid connection | Miralles substation 30/220 kV |
| Location | Tabernas, Almería |
A relevant aspect of the process: the project was exempt from environmental impact assessment as it was not included in the scope of Law 21/2013. Additionally, all consulted administrations—including Andalusian regional bodies and Red Eléctrica de España—issued favorable reports or presented no opposition, which facilitated processing without obstacles.
Economic and operational impact
Hybridizing an existing photovoltaic plant with a BESS system has direct operational and economic consequences for the operator:
- Greater utilization of generated energy: storage allows shifting grid injection to time slots with higher prices, improving revenue per MWh.
- Reduction of spillage: energy that was previously lost due to grid limitations can be stored and released at times of lower congestion.
- Grid services: BESS systems can participate in adjustment service markets and frequency regulation, generating additional revenue.
- Environmental impact exemption: by not requiring environmental impact assessment under Law 21/2013, the project reduces time and administrative costs compared to larger installations.
For the sector as a whole, this authorization strengthens renewable storage capacity in Spain, contributing to electrical grid stability and national energy transition objectives.
Who does it affect?
- Naturgy Renovables, SLU: direct holder of the authorization and responsible for construction and operation of BESS Tabernas II.
- Operators of existing photovoltaic plants studying battery hybridization projects in Spain: this resolution establishes a precedent for favorable processing.
- BESS project promoters in Andalusia and other autonomous communities: the process followed (consultations, favorable reports, environmental exemption) is a reference for similar projects.
- Manufacturers and installers of energy storage systems operating in the Spanish market.
- Red Eléctrica de España and grid operators in the Almería area, who will need to integrate the new storage capacity into grid management.
- Energy advisors and consultants who support promoters in authorization processes for hybrid projects.
Practical example
A promoter operating a photovoltaic plant of similar power to Tabernas II (48.8 MW) in Andalusia who wants to add a battery system can use this resolution as a roadmap:
- The BESS Tabernas II project, with 19.8 MW of storage, represents approximately 40.6% of the installed power of the associated solar plant (48.8 MW). This proportion can guide the sizing of similar projects.
- Evacuation is resolved through underground lines at 30 kV connected to the Miralles substation (30/220 kV), indicating that existing evacuation infrastructure can be leveraged for hybridization without needing new high-voltage substations.
- By being exempt from environmental impact assessment (Law 21/2013), the promoter avoids one of the most time-consuming procedures: ordinary environmental processing can add 12 to 24 months to projects that require it.
- The fact that Red Eléctrica and Andalusian regional bodies issued favorable reports without opposition suggests that the project typology (BESS hybridization on existing solar, connection to existing substation) currently has good regulatory acceptance.
What should companies do now?
- Review the reference file (BOE-A-2026-21303) if you are processing or planning a solar + BESS hybridization project in Spain: the structure of the resolution and consulted bodies are a direct guide for similar projects.
- Verify if your project is exempt from environmental impact assessment under Law 21/2013: the exemption can significantly reduce processing timelines.
- Contact Red Eléctrica and competent regional bodies in the preliminary phase to identify possible objections before submitting the formal authorization request.
- Size the evacuation infrastructure leveraging, if possible, the existing substation of the solar plant: the Tabernas II model (30 kV underground lines to 30/220 kV substation) minimizes investment in new infrastructure.
- Evaluate the BESS/solar ratio in the project: the 19.8 MW of storage versus 48.8 MW photovoltaic (~40%) can serve as a sizing reference for hybridization projects under similar conditions.
Frequently asked questions
What is BESS Tabernas II and what power does it have?
BESS Tabernas II is a battery energy storage system with 19.8 MW installed power, authorized by the General Directorate of Energy Policy and Mines through a resolution of May 9, 2025. It will be hybridized with the Tabernas II photovoltaic park, 48.8 MW, located in Tabernas (Almería), and is owned by Naturgy Renovables, SLU.
How is energy from BESS Tabernas II evacuated to the grid?
The evacuation infrastructure consists of underground lines at 30 kV connecting the battery system to the Miralles substation, which operates at 30/220 kV. This solution leverages the existing evacuation infrastructure of the photovoltaic park, without needing to build a new high-voltage substation.
Did the BESS Tabernas II project require environmental impact assessment?
No. The project was exempt from environmental impact assessment as it was not included in the scope of Law 21/2013. This simplified and accelerated administrative processing compared to larger projects that do require this procedure.
Which administrations issued favorable reports on the project?
All consulted administrations issued favorable reports or presented no opposition. These include Andalusian regional bodies and Red Eléctrica de España. The absence of opposition was decisive for granting authorization without issues.
What authorizations does this resolution grant exactly to Naturgy?
The resolution grants two simultaneous authorizations: the prior administrative authorization and the administrative construction authorization of the BESS Tabernas II storage module and its evacuation infrastructure. Both are necessary to begin construction of the battery system.
Official source
View complete regulation in 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-2026-21303
