- Solaria intends to build a 100-hectare photovoltaic park in Zigoitia and cross the region with a very high voltage line. Urkabustaiz, Zigoitia and Zuia residents have presented 5,540 citizen resources "with the intention of paralyzing projects that threaten the area". The multinational has presented in other counties of Álava permits for the construction of two new PV parks, one of them photovoltaic.
The city platforms Urkabustaiz Babes, Zuia Bidean and Zigoitia Bai are working to “paralyse the projects that threaten” Gorbeialdea in Álava. For this reason, on Monday, 8 July, allegations against the multinational Solaria project have been filed in the Provincial Council of Álava. “We have received thousands of popular allegations that show the frontal opposition to solar macro projects and high-tension networks in our villages’ agricultural lands,” explained Zigoitia Raúl Ruiz de Azua and the zuberotarra Mati Iturralde as spokesmen.
The associations have pointed out that experts in different fields have carried out “reports and expertise” that show that the projects “would irreversibly destroy the natural wealth of their peoples”. In the first appearance of protest against the June 21 project, social, neighborhood and political representatives of the Group of Gorbeialdea claimed that Gorbeialdea is a “natural treasure”. The institutions were told that “they have to protect the life, nature and lifestyle of all Álava”, “over the economic interests of large companies and their insolent attempts at blackmail”.
Projects throughout Álava
The company Solaria has presented in Álava projects for the construction of more PV parks, which could be revalued. The Zierbena Solar 2, 3 and 4 projects provide for the construction of three PV parks and a high-voltage line. Each photovoltaic park would exceed 100 hectares and the high-voltage line would cross Álava from south to north to transfer the electricity generated in this territory to Zierbena de Bizkaia. Gorbeialdea’s neighbours have stressed that they want a “just energy transition” that “truly serves to curb the climate crisis” and for their benefit “without exploiting other countries”.
Last week the councils of Vitoria-Gasteiz presented two appeals against these projects and the Lurra Network has denounced that Solaria is being disappointed in the administration to obtain authorisation, among other things by presenting the fractional project and not as a single macro-project. Small farmers and landowners have denounced the "pressure" or "blackmail" of the company with the aim of selling or renting the land.