Key data
| Regulation | Resolution of September 21, 2026, from the General Directorate of Quality and Environmental Assessment — Environmental Impact Statement "Elawan Belinchón I, II and III hybrid wind farm" |
|---|---|
| BOE Publication | October 16, 2026 |
| Entry into force | October 16, 2026 |
| Developers | Elawan Fotovoltaica Belinchón 1, 2 and 3 SL |
| Affected municipalities | Belinchón and Zarza de Tajo (province of Cuenca) |
| Approved capacity | 64.8 MW |
| Number of wind turbines | 9 units |
| Unit capacity | 7.2 MW per wind turbine |
| Maximum height | 211 m at blade tip |
| Category | Energy / Renewables |
| BOE Reference | BOE-A-2026-21602 |
The Elawan Belinchón I, II and III wind farms receive environmental approval to hybridize with photovoltaic installations already in operation in the province of Cuenca. The resolution, published in the BOE on October 16, 2026 with reference BOE-A-2026-21602, opens the way for developers to advance toward construction of a hybrid installation of 64.8 MW that combines wind and solar generation at a single grid connection point.
The final approved capacity is lower than initially projected: one wind turbine position was eliminated due to impact on a Red Eléctrica de España line under processing, leaving the farm with 9 wind turbines instead of the original 10.
What does this regulation establish?
The resolution formulates the favorable environmental impact statement (EIS) for the wind-photovoltaic hybridization project in Cuenca. This means the project has passed the environmental assessment process and can continue its administrative processing toward final construction authorization.
The key technical and environmental aspects approved are as follows:
| Parameter | Approved detail |
|---|---|
| Farm configuration | 3 wind modules (Belinchón I, II and III) hybridized with existing photovoltaic |
| Total capacity | 64.8 MW (9 wind turbines × 7.2 MW) |
| Maximum height | 211 m at blade tip |
| Evacuation | Underground medium voltage |
| Evacuation infrastructure | Use of existing infrastructure (already operational photovoltaic) |
| Location alternative | Avoids the Bonelli's eagle dispersal area |
| Eliminated position | 1 wind turbine removed due to impact on REE line under processing |
| Declared environmental sensitivity | High for protected bird species (Iberian imperial eagle, red kite) |
The Castilla-La Mancha regional administration has expressly warned of the high environmental sensitivity of the area for protected bird species, particularly the Iberian imperial eagle and red kite. This implies that the favorable EIS will be conditioned on compliance with specific corrective and environmental monitoring measures for these species.
Economic and operational impact
Wind-photovoltaic hybridization is one of the most efficient strategies to maximize return on investment in renewables. By sharing already existing evacuation infrastructure, developers avoid the cost of building a new high-voltage line and substation, which can represent a significant reduction in the total project capex.
The most relevant economic and operational impact points are:
- Reduction in evacuation capex: by reusing existing photovoltaic infrastructure, duplicate investments in lines and substations are eliminated.
- Optimization of grid connection point: hybridization allows better management of the generation profile (daytime solar + variable wind), improving utilization of contracted grid access.
- Reduced capacity compared to initial project: elimination of one wind turbine due to conflict with a REE line under processing reduces installed capacity from what was originally planned, with corresponding adjustment in projected revenues.
- Environmental conditions: protection measures for Iberian imperial eagle and red kite may involve additional monitoring costs, scheduled wind turbine shutdowns during critical periods, and bird detection systems.
- Contribution to 2030/2050 objectives: the project is part of national energy and climate plans, which can facilitate access to green financing and public guarantees.
Who does it affect?
- Elawan Fotovoltaica Belinchón 1, 2 and 3 SL: direct project developers, who must now complete administrative processing to obtain construction authorization.
- Municipalities of Belinchón and Zarza de Tajo (Cuenca): territories where wind turbines will be located, with implications for urban planning, easements, and agreements with landowners.
- Renewable energy developers and promoters: the project is a reference for wind-photovoltaic hybridization strategies in Spain, especially in areas with existing evacuation infrastructure.
- Renewable energy investors and financiers: the favorable EIS is a critical milestone that reduces regulatory risk and allows progress in project financial structuring.
- Wind farm engineering and construction companies: potential contractors for execution of the 9 wind turbines and associated infrastructure.
- Red Eléctrica de España (REE): affected by the coordination needed for the line under processing that motivated the elimination of one wind turbine position.
Practical example
Imagine that Elawan Fotovoltaica Belinchón 1 SL manages one of the three approved modules, with an assigned capacity of approximately 21.6 MW (one third of the total 64.8 MW, with 3 wind turbines of 7.2 MW).
By hybridizing with the photovoltaic installation already operational at the same connection point, the company can present to its financing bank a combined generation profile: solar covers the central hours of the day and wind provides nighttime generation and periods of low irradiation. This more stable profile improves project debt coverage and can facilitate obtaining long-term financing on better terms.
However, given that the regional administration has declared high sensitivity for the Iberian imperial eagle and red kite, the developer must include in its operating budget the costs of a bird monitoring program and potentially automatic wind turbine shutdown systems upon detection of these species. These additional operating costs must be incorporated into the project's financial model before closing financing.
What should companies do now?
- Review the EIS and its conditions: developers must analyze in detail the conditions imposed in the environmental impact statement, especially bird protection measures (Iberian imperial eagle and red kite), and incorporate them into the project plan.
- Update the executive project: adapt plans and technical design to the final approved configuration of 9 wind turbines (eliminating the position removed due to conflict with the REE line), and verify compatibility with existing evacuation infrastructure.
- Coordinate with Red Eléctrica de España: resolve the situation of the REE line under processing that motivated the elimination of one wind turbine, to avoid new conflicts in later phases.
- Advance in construction authorization processing: the favorable EIS is a prerequisite, but not final authorization. Developers must continue the administrative procedure before the competent substantive body.
- Structure project financing: with the EIS in hand, it is time to advance with banks and investors in financial structuring, incorporating the costs of conditional environmental measures.
- Manage agreements with landowners: in the municipalities of Belinchón and Zarza de Tajo, formalize the rental or easement contracts necessary for the 9 approved wind turbine locations.
Frequently asked questions
What does it mean that the EIS is favorable for the Elawan Belinchón parks?
It means that the General Directorate of Quality and Environmental Assessment considers that the 64.8 MW project with 9 wind turbines can be executed without causing unacceptable environmental impacts, provided that the imposed conditions are met. It is a necessary but not sufficient step: developers must still obtain administrative construction authorization from the competent substantive body.
Why was the capacity of the Belinchón wind farms reduced?
The final approved capacity is 64.8 MW with 9 wind turbines, instead of the 10 originally planned. One wind turbine position was eliminated because its location affected a Red Eléctrica de España line that was under processing, which created a technical and administrative conflict that forced its removal from the project.
What are the advantages of wind-photovoltaic hybridization in this project?
Hybridization with photovoltaic installations already operational in Belinchón allows leveraging existing evacuation infrastructure, avoiding construction of new lines and substations. This reduces the additional environmental impact of the project and the investment cost in evacuation, while also optimizing use of the grid access point.
What environmental conditions does the EIS impose on the Elawan Belinchón parks?
The Castilla-La Mancha regional administration has warned of high sensitivity of the area for protected bird species, specifically the Iberian imperial eagle and red kite. Although the chosen location alternative already avoids the Bonelli's eagle dispersal area, developers must implement specific monitoring and protection measures for these species, which may include detection systems and scheduled wind turbine shutdowns.
When does this environmental impact statement enter into force?
The resolution was published in the BOE on October 16, 2026 (reference BOE-A-2026-21602) and entered into force that same day. Developers Elawan Fotovoltaica Belinchón 1, 2 and 3 SL can from that date continue the administrative processing of the project with the favorable EIS in hand.
Official source
Consult complete regulation in official source
Notice: This article is purely informational in nature 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-2026-21602
