Villena to Amend PGOU to Counter Consell Decree Mandating Solar Plant Installations

Francisco Iniesta, the Councilor for Urban Planning and Environment, announced on Monday, September 16, that the City Council is preparing a specific amendment to the General Urban Development Plan (PGOU) in response to Decree 7/2024, which eases the conditions for implementing solar plant projects within Villena's municipal territory.

According to Iniesta, "the Decree has laid out a red carpet for solar plant projects while placing obstacles and challenges for the City Council to manage our own territory." Our intention is to achieve "municipal autonomy in deciding how many, where, and how we want solar plants in our territory, and the only way is through a specific amendment of the General Plan."

This response comes after the latest decree from the Consell, which, among other measures, eliminated the possibility of establishing a general suspension of building permits as decided by the City Council in July's plenary session, leaving municipalities that had chosen this route without options.

The City Council of Villena aims to regain "municipal autonomy in land management," as "despite all the reports and objections we have presented against various solar plants, the competent administrations – Conselleria and Ministry – have authorized almost all of them. The specific amendment of the PGOU is our only option now that we have fewer tools to manage solar plant installation requests."

In fact, today, the Local Government Board approved the Argos plant, which has a capacity of 84 MW and had previously received negative reports from the City Council along with various objections. "But given the authorizations obtained from other administrations, we have no choice but to approve it. However, we will closely monitor strict compliance with all requirements and conditions during its development."

The Urban Planning Councilor forecasts that under the current regulation, nearly 15 projects could be implemented within Villena's territory, "with all its consequences," especially in areas bordering Sierra Salinas or La Encina, which are under significant pressure.

Iniesta mentioned today that a meeting with Generalitat officials will be held in early October to understand firsthand the effects and real possibilities available to municipalities following the enactment of Decree 7/2024.

The councilor summarized this regulation's measures that limit City Council actions. Specifically, the Decree increases the area occupied by photovoltaic projects from 3% to 10% of the territory, meaning Villena could accommodate around 15 plants throughout its term. Additionally, it reduces municipal capacity as their reports become 'non-binding,' and a positive silence is established in favor of companies applying for licenses to set up such installations.

The measure that came into effect in August eliminates the need for a Community Interest Declaration (DIC) for these renewable energy projects, reduces requirements regarding economic guarantees and fees, and prohibits general license suspensions by municipalities—a measure Villena intended to implement this year.

Iniesta believes that "renewable energy must be developed but not at any cost or at the expense of destroying landscapes or changing land uses. This way, we do not want renewable energy." The Urban Planning Councilor will hold meetings with groups and associations to explain the situation and potentially establish pressure measures and protests against Consell's decision.