It is clear that we are experiencing a profound eco-social crisis. It seems clear that the energy transition is inevitable. However, it does not seem so clear that the axis of the energy transition must be ecological regeneration and adapting our economy to the biosphere. Nor is it clear that the green transition being imposed serves to challenge the power of major energy corporations. We need only look at how states, the European Green Pact and the Next Generation funds are attracting all kinds of companies, multinationals, investment funds -- that only see a business opportunity in electrification.

Forestalia is one of the hands that balance the cradle of the renewable business, with serious social and environmental implications, and now also in Navarra it aims to make high-tension macrolines. Company representing the opportunistic and speculative nature of energy exploitation.

The forestalist lacks anything. Company values include responsibility, sustainability, rural development and decarbonisation. But the reality is very different. It is a company of origin of the Jorge Group, one of the largest exports of meat and pork from the State. It is a company that has hired people from different parties in the Diputación General de Aragón, in the Generalitat or in the Government of Spain. José Manuel Soria, former minister of the PP and Julio Tejedo, former secretary of the Presidency of the PSOE of Aragon, are his last major fichajes. It is a company which absorbs thousands of MW in ministerial auctions classified by the press as pelotazos; which has been condemned by dozens of projects in towns and regions of Aragon; and which has participated in speculative operations to buy and sell projects.

Now Forestalita wants to project two high-tension macrolines in Navarra. For the time being, the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge (MITERD) has received a positive environmental impact statement. The first, 270 km long, would drive electricity from the Cinco Villas de Zaragoza, through Carcastillo, Centro, Cuenca de Pamplona and Sakana, to Gatika (Bizkaia) and Vitoria (Álava). This line also has a third branch from Olite to the Castejón substation. The second projected macroline, over 200 kilometres, emerged in the region of Tauste in Zaragoza and would affect the Ribera de Navarra, La Rioja, Álava and Burgos. At the same time, Forestalia plans to transfer its surplus from Aragon to Catalonia and Valencia via more high-voltage lines.

This is an initiative that has no energy logic. With these projects, Forestalia is presenting itself as electric evacuation lines that are authentic transportation lines, in contravention of Law 24/2013, of the Electric Sector. In that law, Red Eléctrica de España, S.A. is assigned as the sole carrier of that activity. Another obstacle to the necessary socialisation and democratic planning of the energy sector. It prevents progress towards a diversified and decentralised model, while contravening the principle of sustainability of the approximation of production and consumption points. It is absolutely irrational that the existing infrastructures in Zaragoza reach their point of connection for evacuation in places as far away as Burgos, Bizkaia, Álava, La Rioja or Navarra.

This project also has no environmental logic. One of the two lines designed by Forestalia coincides in large part with another line of REE that runs between Muruarte and Mar (Gipuzkoa). Both lines would run parallel at 92 kilometres at a distance of approximately 200 metres. Thus, the environmental and territorial effects of this type of infrastructure (tree removal, barrier effect, electromagnetic fields, avifauna) would double due to the coexistence of both lines. We understand that the Ministry has not taken into account the cumulative impacts of both projects.

Finally, we can see a new chapter on the use of energy to fill private pockets. As surplus stratospheric electricity is expected to be generated, with difficulties in leaving the current network, Forestalia intends to transport and sell to the large industrial centres (Bilbao, Vitoria, Barcelona, Tarragona, Valencia) the electricity generated with disproportionate lines, in its projects or in projects of other companies. In this case we would not be talking about the response to the ecological crisis or environmental sensitivity. It would only be a response to ensure the economic viability of a business project that generates many doubts and debts.

Renewable forestry is another hand balancing cradle. But it's not the only one, because there's a lot more. And all of them are left. In the name of a supposed "energy transition", private companies are being allowed to function as they please and generate a new economic bubble. This disaster cannot be accepted or demanded by greater profits, such as the alleged fight against climate change. They only seek to satisfy their thirst for business by eliminating the sovereignty, biodiversity, territory and natural resources of the planet. Once again, it is essential to reiterate and demand. For all these projects, a moratorium is needed to rationalize, organize and plan democratically under appropriate conditions.

Mikel Saralegi Otsakar and Jule Goñi Montero, members of the Subai Erakuntza Foundation.