The popular initiative Picos de Urumea Viva (Living Mountains of Urumea) explains that they want to carry out two wind projects in the Picos de Urumea: on the one hand, FR Energy, which is closely linked to the multinational Repsol, wants to establish a 100 MW wind project in the lands of Arano, Ereñotzu, Hernani, Hozueta, Berastegi and Elduaién. It aims to establish 14 wind turbines with a height of at least 205 meters. On the other hand, Endesa plans to establish a 33MW macroproject between Hernani and Pagoaga (Ereñotzu).

The People’s Initiative expresses its concern: "These companies, through the irreversible destruction of natural environments so necessary for the absorption of CO2 in communal environments and the use of public land, want to continue enriching the private capital of multinationals." They warn that "these are projects driven by funds from Europe", and in the current model of society with such high energy consumption, they propose the solution in a different direction: "What we really need is economic and social change that respects the territory and its natural, cultural and social wealth, and responds to energy needs. We believe that previously anthropized areas can be reused to install renewable energy generating devices."

Damage to nature and society

The popular initiative highlights the fact that these macro-projects entail the "industrialization" of the mountains of the Urumea valley and mentions the damage they would cause. On the one hand, Arano would be surrounded by giant wind turbines, warning that they see "the survival of the people in danger". On the other hand, the mountainous area of the Urumea Valley is an ecological corridor that "unites the natural spaces of Aiako Harria, Urumea and Leitzaran" and "is one of the priority areas for the completion of the Green Infrastructure of Gipuzkoa". The popular initiative says that stopping it would jeopardize the survival of many plant and animal species. In addition, it is recalled that the Urumea Basin and its banks have been declared Special Areas of Conservation by the Basque Government and that "the transformations that take place in the valley directly affect their health". There are also fears that the springs and streams will be damaged as a result of land movements.

On the other hand, they have denounced that these macroprojects would lead to land expropriation and the reclassification of forest lands and that they will have to expand and adapt the access routes to windmills, which will lead to "large-scale" land movements, the artificialization of the land and "impoverishment". It has been described as "incompatible" with livestock, agricultural and recreational practices. And that they would cause "significant damage" to the quality of life and health of the population: noise pollution, infrasound, light effects, etc.

Finally, the impact on the historical, archaeological and cultural heritage has been highlighted. They recall that the megalithic station Onddi-Mandoegi is protected in the UAE and denounce that "it could be directly affected by these projects".

Informative talks in early February

Anyone who wants to know what the macroprojects of the Urumea Mountains are, who wants to reflect collectively on the consequences that they will bring and who wants to approach the popular initiative, has a good opportunity at the beginning of February.

The informative conference will be held in Ereñotzu on February 6th at 19:15 in Ludoteka.

The conference will take place in Hernani on February 7 at 19:00 at the Biteri Cultural Center.

The informative conference will be held in San Sebastián on February 27 at the Okendo Cultural Center.