Supreme Court Gives Cabildo Another Chance to Defend the Process Behind the Las Cabras Solar Park

The Supreme Court of Justice admits the island corporation’s appeal concerning the filing of the public and social interest declaration of the project

The Supreme Court of Justice of the Canary Islands has accepted for processing the appeal filed by the Cabildo of Fuerteventura regarding the “Las Cabras” solar park project, opening a new chance for the island authority to defend the correctness of the administrative procedure used to archive the public and social interest declaration.

The project, regarded as the largest photovoltaic plant planned for the island, is located next to the Majada Marcial neighbourhood in the municipality of Puerto del Rosario. Its processing has sparked controversy due to the possible impact on the capital’s urban development and on residents’ well‑being—concerns already voiced by both the Cabildo and the municipal council when the promoter triggered the so‑called Article 6 bis procedure.

In this context, the island corporation decided to file away the dossier concerning the public and social interest declaration, a prerequisite step for obtaining the municipal licence. That decision was initially upheld by the courts, although the promoting company later lodged an appeal.

Facing this situation, the Cabildo formalised a cassation appeal that has now been admitted for processing by the Supreme Court of Justice, according to a notification received on 30 January. The admission does not yet address the merits of the case, but it recognises the legal relevance of the debate and allows the island authority to continue defending the legality of the adopted procedure.

The Cabildo’s president, Lola García, said:

“This ruling allows us to keep defending that the decisions taken comply with the law and serve the general interest of the island.”

She added:

“The energy model that Fuerteventura needs must arise from planning, consensus, and respect for the population’s well‑being and our territory.”

García also reminded that:

“The deployment of renewable energies is a priority and a necessity, but it must be carried out respecting all procedures and avoiding extraordinary routes that would be imposed on urban development and the quality of life of neighbours.”

For her part, the Territorial Planning councilor, Nereida Calero, explained that the admission of the appeal “reinforces the need to move forward with orderly planning,” a line of work the Cabildo has pursued since the start of the legislative term. Calero noted that the institution is promoting the drafting of a Special Territorial Plan for the installation of energy infrastructures, a key tool to reconcile the energy transition with the protection of the territory and the economic and social development of Fuerteventura.