Key data
| Regulation | Resolution of October 5, 2026, from the General Directorate of Energy Policy and Mines |
|---|---|
| Publication | October 22, 2026 |
| Entry into force | October 22, 2026 |
| Promoting company | Corona Fotovoltaicas, SL |
| Installed capacity | 42 MW |
| Affected municipalities | Ocaña, Noblejas and Villarrubia de Santiago (Toledo) |
| Direct stakeholders | Landowners in the three municipalities |
| Category | Energy |
| Year | 2026 |
Landowners in Ocaña, Noblejas and Villarrubia de Santiago (Toledo) face a concrete scenario: the Morata de Tajuña 3 photovoltaic plant, with 42 MW of installed capacity, promoted by Corona Fotovoltaicas, SL, has just obtained the public utility declaration. This is not a minor administrative procedure: it legally enables the occupation of their lands through forced expropriation or easement of passage.
The resolution was signed on October 5, 2026 by the General Directorate of Energy Policy and Mines and published in the BOE on October 22, 2026, the date it also came into force.
What does this regulation establish?
The public utility declaration is the legal instrument that allows an energy company to occupy lands—both private and public domain—to build an electricity generation facility and its evacuation infrastructure. In practical terms, it means that the general interest of producing renewable energy prevails over individual property rights.
The file for this plant has a long trajectory: it began in 2020 and already had:
- Prior administrative authorization: granted in 2023
- Construction authorization: granted in 2024
- Public utility declaration: granted on October 5, 2026
During the public information period, no objections were received, which has facilitated the favorable resolution without formal opposition registered.
The declaration enables two occupation mechanisms:
- Forced expropriation: definitive transfer of ownership through assessed compensation.
- Easement of passage: permanent right of use over the land for evacuation infrastructure, without transferring ownership but with real limitations on land use.
Important: the public utility declaration does not exempt Corona Fotovoltaicas, SL from obtaining other sectoral authorizations. Those relating to environment, roads, hydrology and civil aviation remain pending.
Economic and operational impact
For landowners of affected properties, the impact is direct and has two dimensions:
- Loss of control over the property: once the expropriation file is initiated, the owner cannot block the occupation, only negotiate or challenge the economic valuation.
- Compensation: in the case of expropriation, the owner has the right to economic compensation, but its amount is set by the expropriation procedure, not by the owner. In the case of easement, compensation is usually lower and does not involve loss of ownership.
For the promoting company, Corona Fotovoltaicas, SL, this declaration unlocks the phase of effective construction: it already has prior administrative authorization (2023), construction authorization (2024) and now the authorization to access the lands. The only remaining obstacle is sectoral authorizations in matters of environment, roads, hydrology and civil aviation.
Who does it affect?
- Landowners in Ocaña (Toledo) included in the plant file or its evacuation infrastructure.
- Landowners in Noblejas (Toledo) affected by the evacuation line route.
- Landowners in Villarrubia de Santiago (Toledo) in the same situation.
- Holders of public domain assets in the three municipalities (rural roads, watercourses, cattle routes) whose occupation is authorized.
- Corona Fotovoltaicas, SL as promoter: obtains the authorization to initiate occupation procedures.
Practical example
A farmer who owns a plot in the municipality of Ocaña receives a notification from Corona Fotovoltaicas, SL informing him that his property is included in the expropriation file of the Morata de Tajuña 3 plant. Since the public utility declaration has been in force since October 22, 2026, the owner cannot prevent the occupation, but can:
- File an appeal to the State Secretariat for Energy within one month from publication (that is, before November 22, 2026), if he considers that the declaration does not meet legal requirements.
- Negotiate the fair price (compensation) in the expropriation procedure, with the assistance of an independent expert.
- If the occupation is through easement of passage (not total expropriation), negotiate the conditions of use and annual compensation.
What he cannot do is ignore the notifications: failure to respond does not halt the file and may harm his negotiating position.
What should landowners do now?
- Verify if your property is included in the file: consult the full text of the resolution in the BOE or contact your municipality's town hall to access the list of affected properties.
- Act before November 22, 2026: if you want to challenge the public utility declaration, the deadline for appeal to the State Secretariat for Energy is one month from publication.
- Hire specialized legal advice: a lawyer expert in expropriation law can assess whether the declaration meets all requirements and whether there is grounds to appeal or to negotiate a higher fair price than offered.
- Do not ignore notifications from the promoting company: passivity does not halt the file. Responding on time protects your economic rights.
- Distinguish between expropriation and easement: the legal and economic consequences are different. Make sure you understand which figure applies to your specific plot before signing anything.
Frequently asked questions
What does it mean that the plant has a public utility declaration?
It means that Corona Fotovoltaicas, SL is legally authorized to occupy private and public domain lands in Ocaña, Noblejas and Villarrubia de Santiago (Toledo) through forced expropriation or easement of passage. The owner cannot prevent the occupation, but has the right to compensation and to challenge the valuation.
How long do I have to appeal the public utility declaration?
The deadline is one month from publication in the BOE, that is, until November 22, 2026. The appeal is an appeal and must be filed with the State Secretariat for Energy.
Does the public utility declaration mean I will be expropriated immediately?
Not immediately. The declaration authorizes the initiation of the expropriation procedure, but this has its own phases (list of affected assets and rights, fair price offer, occupation deed). Furthermore, Corona Fotovoltaicas, SL must still obtain sectoral authorizations in matters of environment, roads, hydrology and civil aviation before initiating construction.
In which Toledo municipalities are there lands affected by the Morata de Tajuña 3 plant?
The three affected municipalities are Ocaña, Noblejas and Villarrubia de Santiago, all in the province of Toledo. The impact includes both the photovoltaic plant surface and the electrical evacuation infrastructure.
What authorizations does Corona Fotovoltaicas still need to build the plant?
Despite having prior administrative authorization (2023), construction authorization (2024) and public utility declaration (2026), the company must still obtain sectoral authorizations in matters of environment, roads, hydrology and civil aviation. The public utility declaration does not replace them.
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-2026-22073
