Spain, a leading country in renewable energy, has seen its wind sector face significant legal hurdles in recent years. Today, the European Union Court of Justice (ECJ) issued a crucial ruling that strongly supports the legality of the procedures followed in Galicia for authorizing wind projects. This decision by the ECJ removes the legal uncertainty that had paralyzed nearly a hundred projects in the region, providing a much-needed boost to the sector. The Spanish Wind Energy Association (AEE), representing the country’s wind sector, has expressed immense satisfaction with the ruling and urges institutions to adopt the necessary measures responsibly and diligently so that the stalled projects can resume their progress.
The ECJ’s pronouncement confirms that the environmental assessment and public participation mechanisms applied in recent years for processing wind farms, which were questioned by the High Court of Justice of Galicia (TSXG), are compatible with EU law. This clarity is pivotal, as the structural paralysis of the sector for over three years has inflicted enormous damage on companies and, crucially, on Galicia’s rural society and economy. Despite its vast renewable potential, Galicia has significantly lagged in wind energy installation, with only 171 MW installed between 2020 and 2024, starkly contrasting with the 6,000 MW installed across Spain during the same period. This delay has not only hindered energy transition but also the creation of jobs in rural areas and the fulfillment of EU decarbonization objectives.
Juan Virgilio Márquez, AEE’s Director General, stated, “This resolution restores confidence to developers, reinforces the credibility of the legal framework, and allows us to urgently resume the path of wind development in Galicia. We are not just talking about competitive energy; we are talking about skilled employment, value-added industry, rural improvement, territorial cohesion, and the fulfillment of climate commitments. Now is the time to act quickly and responsibly so that the projects, until now paralyzed, can resume their activity as soon as possible.” The AEE now appeals to the TSXG to urgently resume the processing of affected files and resolve pending cases with the utmost agility, prioritizing the superior public interest that European legislation attributes to renewable energies. It is crucial that legal interpretations in Spain do not continue to prevail, as they have until now, leading to the application of the precautionary principle above this superior public interest, as has been the case in Galician judicial decisions.
This ruling is a critical step towards meeting Sustainable Development Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) by accelerating the deployment of clean energy and contributing to SDG 13 (Climate Action) by enabling faster decarbonization. With 92 wind farms (approximately 2,500 MW) currently facing judicial challenges in Galicia, the successful unblocking of these projects would represent a monumental leap forward. To put it in perspective, while Galicia currently accounts for 12.9% of Spain’s total wind power with 3,920 MW, realizing the 2,500 MW of stalled capacity would significantly enhance its contribution to national and European renewable energy targets, reducing emissions on a substantial scale.
The ECJ’s decision provides a clear mandate for progress. The question now is whether the administrative and judicial systems will respond with the necessary speed and determination to fully harness Galicia’s immense wind potential. The future of sustainable energy in the region, and by extension, Spain’s overall climate goals, hinges on this crucial follow-through, transforming legal clarity into tangible megawatts and a greener future.
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