The Ministry for Ecological Transition has approved the environmental impact assessment (DIA) of the experimental offshore wind farm projected off the bay of Roses (Girona), an initiative promoted by the Institute for Research in Renewable Energies (IREC), an organization dependent on the Generalitat, as reported by Europa Press.
The Minister for Ecological Transition of the Generalitat, Sílvia Paneque, has set the start of operation of the experimental platforms for early 2028. She indicated this on Tuesday at the press conference following the Executive Council, when asked about the favorable DIA.
In relation to this resolution, which has not yet been published in the Official State Gazette (BOE), Paneque has stressed that the Government will study it "thoroughly," as it constitutes the last necessary step to start the tender for the platform. The project includes 3 wind turbines incorporating 3 different technologies.
The minister, who is also the spokesperson for the Government, has expressed confidence that, in the coming weeks, a concrete timetable for the start of on-site activities can be set and communicated.
Territorial Debate and Dialogue with the Environment
When questioned about the degree of consensus the project has among territorial stakeholders and town councils, Paneque has argued that "the experimental platform itself is already the result of this dialogue," although she has admitted that there are sectors that still view the initiative with suspicion.
"From the Government, we insist on advancing in the energy transition," she has emphasized, and has maintained that it is reasonable and prudent to launch this platform, as, she explained, it will be one of the few in the world to use this type of technology.
A Possible Business "Tractor Pole"
Paneque has remarked that the project has the capacity to become a "tractor pole" for companies in the sector, by allowing the evaluation of which technology is most suitable on the ground. In her opinion, it is a good agreement with the territory that the Government intends to promote.
She added, moreover, that once the results of the different technologies in the experimental phase have been analyzed, it will be decided whether or not to proceed with the construction of a commercial offshore wind farm in the future.