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If you were to ask someone what defines Spain—beyond its famous gastronomy—they’d probably say sunshine. And they wouldn’t be wrong: Spain is one of the sunniest countries in Europe, making it a natural leader in solar energy. What many don’t know, however, is that Spain is also a biodiversity powerhouse.
We rank first in Europe for diversity of mammals and reptiles, third for fish and amphibians, and host 45 UNESCO Biosphere Reserves and 121 distinct habitat types. However, as Spain speeds up the rollout of photovoltaic projects, a key challenge arises: how to harness clean energy without endangering the rich natural heritage that makes Spain so unique. The answer lies in one essential ingredient: responsible, forward-looking planning that ensures renewable energy development is truly sustainable.
Biodiversity as a constraint on renewable energy development
The ecological and energy transition is often presented as a vital tool for conserving biodiversity and protecting ecosystems and their fauna. However, in recent years, increasing concerns have emerged in Spain regarding the potential negative effects of renewable energy infrastructure on the environment. Media reports and scientific studies have increasingly linked biodiversity loss, habitat fragmentation, and landscape degradation to poorly planned renewable energy projects.
Key environmental concerns include the rising mortality of endangered species, degradation of habitat quality, and soil erosion in project areas. These concerns have been amplified by the growing activity of environmental organizations and civil society groups, which have opposed the deployment of large-scale renewable energy projects in ecologically sensitive areas. Many of these areas enjoy legal environmental protections and are part of conservation initiatives such as the Natura 2000 network (La Red Natura 2000). This opposition has led to significant delays and even suspensions in the administrative processing and commissioning of projects.
Galicia and Andalusia: epicenters of legal conflict between biodiversity and renewable development
While these tensions are present across Spain, Galicia has become one of the main battlegrounds. Over the past few years, hundreds of wind farms have faced judicial proceedings against their permits due to alleged environmental risks. Environmental groups have argued that the installation of such infrastructure in or near protected natural areas poses severe threats to biodiversity. The claims commonly raised include the risk of wildfires, visual and landscape impacts, damage to cultural and historical heritage, and—most notably—the threat to endangered species and environmentally sensitive ecosystems.
Andalusia presents a different but equally important case. This region is home to extensive holm oak and cork oak woodlands, the primary habitat of the Iberian lynx—an iconic species that until recently was classified as critically endangered. As a result, several photovoltaic projects have been rejected by regional authorities due to their potential impact on lynx habitats and on areas deemed essential for regional biodiversity and ecological connectivity. These include priority conservation areas that support the movement and genetic flow of wild species across the territory.
Making coexistence possible: preventive, corrective, and compensatory measures
When properly planned and implemented, photovoltaic projects can coexist with—and even contribute to—biodiversity conservation. This compatibility is not automatic; it requires a comprehensive, site-specific approach that incorporates environmental considerations at every stage of the project life cycle.
From early planning and site selection to construction, operation, and eventual decommissioning, developers must integrate preventive, corrective, and compensatory measures that protect habitats, minimize harm to wildlife, and promote long-term ecological resilience. Only by integrating environmental safeguards into the core of renewable energy planning can the energy transition proceed in harmony with the protection of natural ecosystems.
Key strategies include:
- Site selection in already degraded or anthropized areas, avoiding critical habitats and regions with high ecological sensitivity
- Use of low-impact technologies that minimize harm to local fauna
- Periodic wildlife monitoring to assess ongoing impacts
- Restoration of degraded habitats and creation of ecological corridors to ensure wildlife connectivity
- Avoidance of construction activities during breeding and rearing seasons of protected species
- Installation of warning signage and protection of native vegetation
- Incorporation of scrub vegetation and provision of food and water points for wildlife around project sites
- Support for long-term biodiversity impact assessments and alignment with national sustainable energy strategies
In support of these efforts, the Spanish government has introduced key guidance tools: the 2020 Environmental Zoning Report, which identifies environmentally sensitive areas where renewable energy projects are discouraged; and the 2024 Guide to Good Practice for Wildlife Studies in Photovoltaic Solar Plant Projects (Guía de buenas prácticas para la realización de estudios de fauna en proyectos de instalación de plantas solares fotovoltaicas y medidas ambientales asociadas), which provides developers with clear recommendations on site selection and the implementation of compensatory and corrective measures to ensure environmental viability.
Success stories: projects that harmonize solar energy and biodiversity
Several photovoltaic plants in Spain stand as examples of successful coexistence between renewable energy and biodiversity. These include:
- Caparacena 400 (230 MW), located in an area inhabited by Iberian lynx, imperial eagles, and Bonelli’s eagles
- El Valle (125 MW), La Cima (150 MW), El Monte (150 MW), and La Ladera (7 MW), all located in areas that are home to Iberian lynx, imperial eagles, little bustards, Montagu’s harriers, and pallid harriers, as well as significant native vegetation
- Oriol (327.57 MW), situated in a landscape used for agriculture and livestock and inhabited by steppe birds, black storks, and Cabrera’s voles.
In short, to meet Spain’s climate goals, the responsibility lies with renewable energy developers to ensure that their projects are planned and executed in a way that fully respects and protects the country’s exceptional biodiversity.
This article was written by Ana Sánchez-Valdepeñas, Senior Associate; Paula Espinosa, Senior Associate; and Ana Doval Escrivá de Romaní, Associate at CMS. Learn more about CMS here.