Key data
| Regulation | Resolution of October 19, 2026, from the General Directorate of Quality and Environmental Assessment — Environmental Impact Statement of the PFV hybridization project Herrera de los Navarros |
|---|---|
| Publication | November 2, 2026 |
| Effective date | November 2, 2026 |
| Developer | Sistemas Energéticos Barandón, SA |
| Photovoltaic capacity | 21 MW installed |
| Existing wind capacity | 35 MW (Herrera de los Navarros wind farm) |
| Area occupied | 23.23 ha |
| Photovoltaic modules | 37,472 units on fixed structure |
| Evacuation | Underground 30 kV line to SET Mata Alta |
| Legal framework | Law 21/2013, on environmental assessment |
| Category | Energy |
| Year | 2026 |
Sistemas Energéticos Barandón, SA obtains environmental approval for one of the most relevant renewable hybridization projects in Aragón: the integration of 21 MW photovoltaic in the environment of the Herrera de los Navarros wind farm, which already operates with 35 MW wind. The resolution, published on November 2, 2026 and processed under the Law 21/2013 on environmental assessment, is not a minor procedure: it establishes binding conditions that the developer must comply with before and during construction, and that neighboring landowners must be aware of.
What does this regulation establish?
The resolution issues a favorable environmental impact statement (EIS) for the hybridization project, which means that the project can be executed as long as the imposed conditions are met. Among the most relevant technical and environmental elements:
- Selected alternative: Location alternative 3 was chosen, as it has the least environmental impact and is away from Natura 2000 Network areas.
- Technical configuration: 37,472 photovoltaic modules on fixed structure, distributed over 23.23 ha.
- Evacuation: Underground 30 kV line connected to SET Mata Alta substation.
- Elimination of auxiliary storage enclosure: The resolution removes this enclosure to reduce territorial fragmentation.
- Safety distances: Specific conditions are imposed regarding the infrastructure of the Las Majas VIIB wind farm, adjacent to the project.
Mandatory corrective measures
| Area | Required corrective measure |
|---|---|
| Air quality | Control of dust emissions during the construction phase |
| Noise | Limitation of construction noise, with coordination with respect to adjacent wind installations |
| Hydrology | Protection of nearby watercourses during works |
| Infrastructure safety | Compliance with safety distances with respect to Las Majas VIIB wind farm |
| Territorial fragmentation | Elimination of the auxiliary storage enclosure initially planned |
Economic and operational impact
For the developer, the favorable EIS is the essential prerequisite step to obtain administrative and construction authorizations. Without it, the project cannot proceed. With it, Sistemas Energéticos Barandón, SA can continue the administrative process with the certainty that the environmental framework is resolved, although it will need to integrate into its construction budget the costs derived from the imposed corrective measures.
Hybridization on existing wind infrastructure presents clear economic advantages: it takes advantage of the existing grid connection (SET Mata Alta) and shares maintenance and infrastructure costs. Evacuation via a 30 kV underground line reduces visual impact and conflicts with neighboring landowners, although it implies a higher installation cost than an overhead line.
The elimination of the auxiliary storage enclosure, imposed by the resolution, may require a logistical adjustment in the construction planning, as it requires alternative solutions for temporary material storage.
Who does it affect?
- Sistemas Energéticos Barandón, SA: Direct developer. Must comply with all EIS conditions to proceed with project processing and construction.
- Aragón Administration: Responsible for supervising compliance with corrective measures during construction and operation.
- Neighboring landowners: Especially those linked to the Las Majas VIIB wind farm, whose infrastructure conditions the safety distances of the new project.
- Construction companies and subcontractors: Must apply the protocols for dust control, noise and watercourse protection required by the resolution.
- Natura 2000 Network managers in Aragón: Although the project is away from these areas, the resolution confirms that their protection was decisive in the selection of the location alternative.
Practical example
Imagine that a construction company is awarded the contract for the installation of the 37,472 photovoltaic modules on the 23.23 ha of the project. From the first day of work, it is obligated to:
- Implement irrigation or humidification systems on roads and earthmoving areas to control dust emissions.
- Plan the noisiest work outside the times of greatest acoustic sensitivity, coordinating with the adjacent wind farm operator to avoid interference.
- Establish barriers or containment systems in nearby watercourses before initiating any excavation in their vicinity.
- Strictly comply with the safety distances marked with respect to the infrastructure of the Las Majas VIIB wind farm, which may condition the layout of accesses and the location of heavy machinery.
Non-compliance with any of these conditions may halt the works by order of the Aragón administration and compromise the validity of the EIS, with the resulting economic impact for the developer.
What should companies do now?
- Sistemas Energéticos Barandón, SA: Review in detail all EIS conditions and integrate them into the executive project and construction contracting specifications, before initiating any action on the ground.
- Construction companies: Develop an environmental management plan for the work that specifically includes the measures for dust control, noise and watercourse protection required by the resolution.
- Neighboring landowners and Las Majas VIIB operators: Verify that the imposed safety distances are respected in the executive project and report any incidents to the Aragón administration.
- Legal and environmental advisors to the developer: Confirm that the elimination of the auxiliary storage enclosure is reflected in the updated technical documentation of the project and that there is no other element that differs from the approved alternative 3.
- All involved parties: Keep a copy of the resolution published on November 2, 2026 in the BOE as a reference document for any inspection or administrative request.
Frequently asked questions
What is a favorable environmental impact statement and what does it allow the developer to do?
A favorable EIS, such as the one issued by the General Directorate of Quality and Environmental Assessment on October 19, 2026, is the official pronouncement that certifies that the project can be executed from an environmental perspective. For Sistemas Energéticos Barandón, SA, it means that it can continue the administrative process and request construction authorizations, as long as it complies with the imposed conditions: dust and noise control, watercourse protection, safety distances with respect to Las Majas VIIB wind farm and elimination of the auxiliary storage enclosure.
Why was location alternative 3 chosen for the solar plant?
Alternative 3 was selected for presenting the least environmental impact among the evaluated options, fundamentally because it is away from protected areas of the Natura 2000 Network. This decision is binding: the project must be executed exactly in the location and configuration of alternative 3, with 37,472 modules on fixed structure over 23.23 ha.
What specific conditions are imposed regarding the Las Majas VIIB wind farm?
The resolution establishes conditions on safety distances that must be respected with respect to the infrastructure of the Las Majas VIIB wind farm, adjacent to the project. This affects the design of accesses, location of machinery and layout of installations during construction. The exact details of these distances are found in the full text of the resolution published in the BOE on November 2, 2026.
When does the EIS come into force and what is the deadline to start works?
The environmental impact statement is effective from its publication in the BOE, on November 2, 2026. However, the EIS does not directly authorize the start of works: the developer must additionally obtain the corresponding administrative and construction authorizations. The EIS has a limited validity period, so Sistemas Energéticos Barandón, SA must advance in the processing without unnecessary delays.
What happens if corrective measures are not complied with during construction?
Non-compliance with EIS conditions may result in the halting of works by order of the Aragón administration and, in serious cases, in the review or loss of validity of the environmental impact statement itself. This would mean restarting the environmental assessment process, with the economic and time cost that this implies for the developer.
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-2026-22986
