Gorbeialdea People’s University presents the analysis of the Territorial Renewable Energy Sector Plan of the Basque Country

2025/04/03 Galarraga Aiestaran, Ana - Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Ingurumena
• Energia berriztagarriak
• Klima
• Giza zientziak

In the Basque Country, the Territorial Renewable Energy Sector Plan (PTS) concentrates on where renewable energy facilities can be installed. The plan is complete and will be approved soon. However, some scholars have pointed out that there are deficiencies, including the University of Gorbeialdea. In fact, the plan considers 149 sites as the location of the facilities, of which 135 are located in Álava. Specifically, 96% of the photovoltaic park sites are located in this territory and 39% of the wind farm sites are located in this territory.

This Popular University of Gorbeialdea was created in collaboration with the University of the Basque Country, which brings together different experts and agents. The technical team formed by them has analysed the PTS plan from a technical, geographical and legal point of view and recently presented the results of the study, led by Iñaki Lasagabaster Herrarte (Professor of Administrative Law at the UPV/EHU), Ana Sáenz de Olazagoitia Blanco (Professor of Geography at the UPV/EHU), Naiara Moreno Olabuenaga (Representative of the Jungit Administrative Board), and Pasai de García. (Coordinator of Gorbeialdea People’s University).

In their presentation, they have brought to light certain risks and problems that, according to them, LPS is “clearly not appropriate.” The reasons for this conclusion have been explained. Among other things, it is stressed that it does not contribute to the orderly and equitable establishment of these facilities in the territory. In addition, it leaves the areas in private hands, which opens the doors to speculation. In the Group's view, however, a public energy company should be set up. On the other hand, they have proclaimed the need for a project to raise public awareness, to make the population aware of the consequences of energy consumption and take responsibility, and to involve local authorities in decision-making.

Finally, they emphasize that they have not taken into account the scale of time required by the climate emergency in their territorial planning, nor the objectives that exist from other aspects: biodiversity, agriculture... After all, as they have explained, “the climate is not a closed compartment”.