Key data
| Regulation | Resolution of October 15, 2026, DGCEA — Simplified environmental impact report of the PSFV OPDE Vallobar, PSFV OPDE Plana de la Pena 1 and PSFV OPDE Plana de la Pena 2 hybridization project |
|---|---|
| Publication | October 30, 2026 |
| Entry into force | October 30, 2026 |
| Promoter | Promotoras Planta Solar OPDE 12, 13 and 14 SL |
| Location | Botorrita, province of Zaragoza |
| BESS power per plant | 26.74 MW with 4 hours of discharge |
| Approved plants | PSFV OPDE Vallobar and PSFV OPDE Plana de la Pena 2 |
| Excluded plant | PSFV OPDE Plana de la Pena 1 (RD 997/2025 exemption) |
| Estimated duration of works | 12 months |
| Category | Energy |
| Year | 2026 |
Two photovoltaic plants of the OPDE group in Botorrita (Zaragoza) now have environmental approval to incorporate battery storage systems (BESS). The Resolution of October 15, 2026 from the General Directorate for Quality and Environmental Assessment (BOE-A-2026-22779) formalizes the favorable simplified environmental impact report for the hybridization of PSFV OPDE Vallobar and PSFV OPDE Plana de la Pena 2, each with 26.74 MWp. The third facility of the original project, PSFV OPDE Plana de la Pena 1, was excluded from the process by availing itself of the exemption provided for in RD 997/2025.
What does this regulation establish?
The simplified environmental report approves the hybridization of two existing photovoltaic plants through the installation of BESS (Battery Energy Storage System) systems. The key technical and environmental points are:
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Approved plants | PSFV OPDE Vallobar and PSFV OPDE Plana de la Pena 2 |
| Excluded plant | PSFV OPDE Plana de la Pena 1 (RD 997/2025 exemption) |
| Power of each BESS | 26.74 MW with 4 hours of discharge |
| Selected alternative | Alternative 3: minimizes impact on protected habitats, reduces earthworks and shortens the aerial evacuation section |
| Electrical connection | Existing Vallobar 132/30 kV substation, via medium voltage underground lines |
| Accepted modifications | The promoter fully accepted the proposed modifications to reduce impacts on fauna, hydrology and cultural heritage |
| Duration of works | 12 months estimated |
The selection of Alternative 3 is relevant from an operational perspective: by reducing earthworks and shortening the aerial evacuation section, both construction costs and risks of work stoppage due to impact on protected habitats are minimized. The use of the existing Vallobar 132/30 kV substation avoids the need to build new evacuation infrastructure, which simplifies the project and reduces timelines.
Economic and operational impact
The approval of the environmental report unlocks the construction phase for the two plants. The most relevant operational effects are:
- Works timeline: 12 months estimated from the start of hybridization work.
- Evacuation infrastructure: By reusing the Vallobar 132/30 kV substation and using medium voltage underground lines, additional investments in new substations or high voltage aerial lines are avoided.
- Excluded plant: PSFV OPDE Plana de la Pena 1 avails itself of the exemption under RD 997/2025, which means it can proceed via a different administrative route, potentially more agile, without needing this environmental report.
- Environmental conditions: The promoter has fully accepted the modifications to reduce impacts on fauna, hydrology and cultural heritage. Compliance with these conditions is mandatory to maintain the validity of the favorable report.
- Storage capacity: Each 26.74 MW BESS system with 4 hours of discharge is equivalent to a storage capacity of approximately 106.96 MWh per plant, which significantly improves the manageability of generated energy.
Who does it affect?
- Promotoras Planta Solar OPDE 12, 13 and 14 SL: Direct project holder. Must initiate works respecting the accepted environmental conditions.
- Municipality of Botorrita (Zaragoza): Territory where works will be executed over the next 12 months.
- Photovoltaic hybridization promoters in Spain: This case illustrates the practical application of the simplified environmental assessment procedure for BESS projects, as well as the RD 997/2025 exemption as an alternative route.
- Renewable energy advisors and consultants: Reference for managing similar hybridization projects in terms of design alternatives, connection to existing infrastructure and environmental conditions.
- Network operators and substation managers: The Vallobar 132/30 kV substation will receive new medium voltage connections from the BESS systems.
Practical example
A promoter with a 26.74 MWp photovoltaic plant in Aragón who wants to add BESS storage faces two routes according to this precedent:
Route 1 — Simplified environmental assessment (case PSFV Vallobar and Plana de la Pena 2): The promoter presents the hybridization project, the administration evaluates the design alternatives and selects the one that minimizes environmental impact (in this case, Alternative 3). The promoter accepts the conditions on fauna, hydrology and cultural heritage. Result: favorable report that enables the start of works. Estimated works timeline: 12 months.
Route 2 — RD 997/2025 exemption (case PSFV Plana de la Pena 1): If the plant meets the requirements of RD 997/2025, it may be exempt from this simplified environmental assessment procedure, streamlining the administrative procedures prior to construction.
In both cases, connection to an existing substation (such as Vallobar 132/30 kV) via medium voltage underground lines significantly reduces project complexity and risks of additional environmental impact.
What should companies do now?
- OPDE 12 and 14 SL promoters (approved plants): Thoroughly review the accepted modifications on fauna, hydrology and cultural heritage and incorporate them into the executive project before the start of works. Non-compliance with the conditions may invalidate the favorable report.
- OPDE 13 SL promoter (Plana de la Pena 1): Verify that all requirements of the RD 997/2025 exemption are met and properly document the adoption of said exemption to avoid subsequent administrative requirements.
- Works planning: With the environmental report in hand, initiate the bidding and contracting of hybridization work taking into account the estimated 12-month timeline.
- Coordination with the network operator: Manage with the competent operator the connection of medium voltage underground lines to the existing Vallobar 132/30 kV substation.
- Other hybridization promoters in Spain: Analyze whether their project can avail itself of the RD 997/2025 exemption or if it requires simplified environmental assessment, and design project alternatives prioritizing connection to existing infrastructure and minimization of earthworks.
Frequently asked questions
Which solar plants have received environmental approval to add batteries?
The plants PSFV OPDE Vallobar and PSFV OPDE Plana de la Pena 2, both 26.74 MWp and located in Botorrita (Zaragoza), have received a favorable simplified environmental impact report for the installation of 26.74 MW BESS systems with 4 hours of discharge. The third plant of the original project, PSFV OPDE Plana de la Pena 1, was excluded by availing itself of the exemption under RD 997/2025.
Why was PSFV OPDE Plana de la Pena 1 excluded from the environmental report?
Because it availed itself of the exemption provided for in RD 997/2025, which allows certain photovoltaic hybridization projects to be exempt from the simplified environmental impact assessment procedure. This does not prevent project execution, but rather enables a different administrative route.
How long will the battery hybridization works take?
The estimated duration of works is 12 months. The batteries will be connected to the existing Vallobar 132/30 kV substation via medium voltage underground lines, which simplifies execution as it does not require new high voltage evacuation infrastructure.
What environmental conditions must the promoter comply with?
The promoter fully accepted the modifications proposed by the administration to reduce impacts on fauna, hydrology and cultural heritage. Additionally, Alternative 3 design was selected for minimizing impact on protected habitats, reducing earthworks and shortening the aerial evacuation section. Compliance with these conditions is mandatory to maintain the validity of the favorable report.
What storage capacity will each plant have after hybridization?
Each BESS system will have a power of 26.74 MW with 4 hours of discharge, which is equivalent to a storage capacity of approximately 106.96 MWh per plant. In total, the two approved plants will sum approximately 213.92 MWh of storage capacity.
Official source
Consult 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-2026-22779
