Oleo Solar 80 MW Solar Plant in Córdoba: Environmental Approval and Key Points for Developers

Key data

The Oleo Solar photovoltaic plant, with 80.3 MW of installed capacity in the province of Córdoba, has received a favorable environmental impact statement (EIA) from the General Directorate of Quality and Environmental Assessment. The resolution, formulated on March 27, 2026 and published in the BOE on April 13, 2026 (BOE-A-2026-8203), clears the administrative path for the developer to request construction and operation authorizations.

Without this statement, no plant of this scale can advance in the authorization process. Its obtaining is, therefore, the most critical milestone in the pre-construction phase of any large-scale renewable installation.

What does this regulation establish?

The resolution formulates the favorable environmental impact statement for the Oleo Solar project, which comprises two differentiated elements:

• The photovoltaic plant of 80.3 MW of installed capacity, located in the province of Córdoba.
• The evacuation infrastructure necessary to connect the plant to the electrical grid.

The approval is not unconditional. The developer is obligated to comply with a set of corrective and protective measures established in the resolution itself, aimed at minimizing impact on four key environmental elements:

• Soil
• Fauna
• Flora
• Landscape

The EIA is the prior and essential administrative step. Once obtained, the developer can request the administrative authorizations that allow moving to the construction phase and, subsequently, to commercial operation of the plant.

From the perspective of the energy framework, this approval contributes to national energy transition objectives and increases the installed renewable generation capacity in Andalusia.

Economic and operational impact

Obtaining the EIA has direct consequences on the project timeline and economic viability:

• Unblocking the authorization process: Without the EIA, the developer cannot obtain construction or operation authorizations. Its granting eliminates the main regulatory risk in the pre-investment phase.
• Environmental compliance obligations: Corrective measures on soil, fauna, flora and landscape generate additional operating costs that the developer must budget before starting work. Non-compliance with these measures may result in suspension of authorizations.
• Impact on landowners: Owners of properties in the plant implementation area and evacuation infrastructure must review whether their land is affected by easements, expropriations or lease agreements linked to the project.
• Opportunity for the local supply chain: An 80.3 MW project generates demand for engineering, construction, maintenance and equipment supply services in the province of Córdoba and its surroundings.

Who does it affect?

• Oleo Solar project developer: Must comply with the corrective and protective measures established in the resolution as a condition to advance in the authorization process.
• Local administrations in the province of Córdoba: Must coordinate with the developer on urban planning, access and services aspects linked to the plant implementation and its evacuation infrastructure.
• Landowners in the implementation area: Their properties may be affected by direct occupation of the plant or by the evacuation infrastructure route.
• Engineering and construction companies: Environmental approval opens the process for contracting works and services associated with the project.
• Electrical grid operators in Andalusia: The evacuation infrastructure requires coordination with the grid operator for connecting the 80.3 MW to the system.

Practical example

An agricultural landowner in the province of Córdoba receives a notification from the Oleo Solar developer indicating that part of their property is within the plant implementation area or the evacuation infrastructure route.

With the EIA already approved, the developer is in a position to begin negotiations to formalize lease agreements or necessary expropriation procedures. The landowner must:

1. Verify whether their property appears in the project documentation submitted to the administration.
2. Consult with a legal advisor specialized in energy or expropriation law before signing any agreement.
3. Check that the conditions offered by the developer are in line with the market value of the land and the usage restrictions that the installation will impose.

Similarly, a construction company in the area can begin preparing its bid for civil works contracts, knowing that environmental approval is already resolved and the project has confirmed regulatory viability.

What should companies do now?

1. Developer: Review in detail the corrective and protective measures established in the resolution and incorporate them into the project plan and construction budget before requesting the following administrative authorizations.
2. Landowners: Check whether their properties are included in the plant implementation area or the evacuation infrastructure route and seek legal advice before any negotiation with the developer.
3. Local administrations: Begin coordination with the developer for urban planning and access procedures that fall within their municipal competencies.
4. Service and construction companies: Monitor the progress of the authorization process to anticipate the opening of tenders and work contracts linked to the project.
5. Investors and financiers: Record the obtaining of the EIA as a regulatory risk reduction milestone in the project viability analysis, and verify compliance with environmental conditions as a requirement for financial closing.