Wind farm halted in Costa Calma

The authorization request has been denied by the Government of the Canary Islands, following the rejection expressed by the affected administrations.

Background

The president of the Fuerteventura Island Council, Lola García, welcomed the decision to reject the authorization for the Costa Calma I Wind Farm, planned for the municipality of Pájara. In June 2023, the Island Government Council transferred the council’s opposition to the processing of this authorization to the General Directorate of Energy, urging respect for the council’s competencies in the planning and management of natural spaces.

Consultation Process

During the public consultation phase, the Island Council’s Territory Planning Service, led by Nereida Calero, issued a negative opinion on the authorization because the project lies within the Protected Natural Area of the Jandía Natural Park and would involve the opening of access roads that are expressly prohibited in the current planning framework.

The Pájara Town Hall also voiced opposition to the administrative authorization, the environmental impact assessment, and the declaration of public utility for the wind farm. This stance was formalised in a resolution issued by the councilor for Urban Planning and Development, Alexis Alonso, due to inconsistencies with the existing municipal plan.

Decision

Consequently, the General Directorate of Energy has decided to dismiss the developer’s request for administrative approval of the Costa Calma I Wind Farm, a project of 18 MW located in the municipality of Pájara.

“This is an important step to finally archive a project that contradicts the island model and seeks extraordinary approval routes that ignore the particularities of our island,” said Lola García.

Reactions

Territory Planning Councilor Nereida Calero emphasized that the deployment of renewable energy remains a priority, but it must always be carried out in compliance with established procedures and the values of each territory.