Key data
| Regulation | Resolution of October 13, 2026, from the General Directorate of Energy Policy and Mines |
|---|---|
| Publication | October 28, 2026 |
| Entry into force | October 28, 2026 |
| Project holder | Iberdrola Generación, SAU |
| Installed capacity | 75.302 MW |
| Location | Cedillo (Cáceres), Extremadura |
| Hybridization with | Group 3 of the CH Cedillo hydroelectric facility |
| Category | Energy |
| Year | 2026 |
Iberdrola Generación, SAU, already has prior administrative authorization and construction authorization for the hybrid photovoltaic solar park "Cedillo", with 75.302 MW of installed capacity. The Resolution of October 13, 2026 from the General Directorate of Energy Policy and Mines (BOE-A-2026-22601) also grants the declaration of public utility of the installation, which expedites the expropriation or use of the land necessary to execute the project.
The key differentiating feature of this project is its hybrid design: the solar plant will be connected to group 3 of the CH Cedillo hydroelectric facility, allowing the combination of photovoltaic generation and manageable hydroelectric generation at a single connection point to the transmission network.
What does this regulation establish?
The resolution grants two simultaneous authorizations to Iberdrola Generación, SAU:
- Prior administrative authorization: enables the project to advance in its technical development and processing.
- Administrative construction authorization: allows the initiation of works on the photovoltaic installation and its evacuation infrastructure.
The approved evacuation infrastructure includes the following elements:
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Evacuation line | 30 kV line |
| Expanded substation | SET FV Cedillo 30/400 kV |
| Connection point to transmission network | Cedillo 400 kV substation of Red Eléctrica |
The favorable Environmental Impact Declaration (DIA) was issued in October 2023 and incorporates environmental constraints that Iberdrola must comply with mandatorily:
- Establishment of reserve zones in watercourses.
- Specific protection of ponds present in the area of influence.
- Compensation of habitats of community interest affected in a 2:1 proportion (for each hectare affected, two must be compensated).
- Exclusion of archaeological elements from the area of action.
- Preparation of an addendum to the project with all defined and budgeted environmental measures.
Additionally, the resolution declares the public utility of the installation, which grants Iberdrola the power to request forced expropriation or the imposition of easements on the land necessary to execute the project.
Economic and operational impact
For Iberdrola Generación, this project represents the incorporation of 75.302 MW of manageable solar capacity to its portfolio in Extremadura, leveraging the already existing infrastructure of the CH Cedillo hydroelectric facility. Hybridization reduces connection costs to the network by sharing the evacuation point (Cedillo 400 kV substation) with the hydroelectric facility.
From an operational perspective, the main constraints that generate additional costs are:
- The preparation of the project addendum with budgeted environmental measures, a mandatory prior step before starting works.
- The 2:1 compensation of habitats of community interest, which may involve acquisition or management of additional land.
- Protection measures for watercourses and ponds, which may condition the final design of the park and the arrangement of panels.
- The exclusion of archaeological zones, which may reduce the effective installation surface compared to the original project.
For the territory, the declaration of public utility expedites land availability, reducing negotiation timeframes with owners and the risk of blockages due to third-party opposition.
Who does it affect?
- Iberdrola Generación, SAU: project holder, responsible for complying with all environmental constraints and preparing the project addendum.
- Local administrations of Cedillo (Cáceres): affected by the declaration of public utility and possible occupation of municipal land.
- Bodies of the Junta de Extremadura: involved in monitoring the environmental constraints of the DIA.
- Land owners in the area of influence: the declaration of public utility enables forced expropriation or easement on their properties.
- Red Eléctrica de España: manager of the Cedillo 400 kV substation, connection point to the transmission network.
- Promoters of photovoltaic projects in Extremadura: this project sets a precedent in solar-hydroelectric hybridization in the region.
Practical example
Iberdrola must prepare an addendum to the construction project before starting works. This addendum must include, in detail and with budget, all environmental measures required by the October 2023 DIA. Among them, the 2:1 compensation of habitats of community interest: if the installation of panels affects, for example, 10 hectares of protected habitat, Iberdrola must compensate by restoring or protecting at least 20 equivalent hectares in the same biogeographic zone.
Additionally, the declaration of public utility is already in force as of October 28, 2026. This means that if a property owner in Cedillo refuses to cede land for the 30 kV line or for the expansion of the SET FV Cedillo 30/400 kV substation, Iberdrola can initiate the forced expropriation procedure without the need for voluntary agreement.
What should companies do now?
- Iberdrola Generación: prepare the project addendum with all defined and budgeted environmental measures, as required by the DIA, before starting any work.
- Promoters of similar projects: analyze the environmental constraints of this project as a reference for future solar-hydroelectric hybridizations in Extremadura, especially the 2:1 habitat compensation ratio.
- Land owners in Cedillo: review whether their properties are included in the project perimeter; the declaration of public utility is already in force and enables forced expropriation as of October 28, 2026.
- Local administrations: coordinate with Iberdrola the protection constraints for watercourses and ponds to ensure compliance with the DIA in their municipal area.
- Energy advisors and consultants: incorporate this project as a case study of photovoltaic-hydroelectric hybridization with 400 kV connection in large-scale projects in Spain.
Frequently asked questions
What does it mean that the solar plant "hybridizes" with the CH Cedillo hydroelectric facility?
Hybridization means that the 75.302 MW photovoltaic plant is connected and operates jointly with group 3 of the CH Cedillo hydroelectric facility, sharing evacuation infrastructure (the Cedillo 400 kV substation of Red Eléctrica). This allows combining solar generation —variable— with hydroelectric generation —manageable—, optimizing the use of the connection point to the transmission network.
What environmental constraints must Iberdrola comply with to build the solar park?
The favorable Environmental Impact Declaration of October 2023 imposes four main constraints: establish reserve zones in watercourses, protect ponds in the area of influence, compensate habitats of community interest affected in a 2:1 ratio, and exclude archaeological elements from the area of action. Additionally, Iberdrola must prepare an addendum to the project with all these measures defined and budgeted before starting works.
What does the declaration of public utility imply for land owners in Cedillo?
The declaration of public utility, granted by this same resolution with effects from October 28, 2026, enables Iberdrola Generación to request forced expropriation or the imposition of easements on the land necessary to execute the project. Affected owners have the right to participate in the expropriation procedure and to receive the corresponding compensation, but cannot block the execution of the project.
What is the evacuation infrastructure approved for this project?
The resolution approves a 30 kV evacuation line and the expansion of the SET FV Cedillo 30/400 kV substation. The connection point to the transmission network is the Cedillo 400 kV substation, managed by Red Eléctrica de España.
When can Iberdrola start the works on the Cedillo solar park?
The administrative construction authorization is in force as of October 28, 2026. However, before starting works, Iberdrola must prepare and submit the project addendum with all environmental measures of the DIA defined and budgeted, as required by the resolution.
Official source
Consult complete regulation in official source
Disclaimer: 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-2026-22601
