Ekologistak Martxan is not surprised at the news, as the MEP brought it forward on several occasions. Certainly, in Álava the general Member decides what environmentally viable projects are and sets out the guidelines for the technical reports.

Ekologistak Martxan considers that the decision of the Council of Álava is very questionable, as according to the environmental report itself, three of the eight wind turbines are in a more sensitive area, the rest (five) in highly sensitive areas, and are also projected in a critical area for endangered species such as the Alimoche or the Royal Milano.

In any case, we expected the result, since all the actions of the Basque Government and the Provincial Council of Álava in recent years have been aimed at removing the obstacles to Iberdrola for this project to see the light.

Ekologistak Martxan believes that this political purpose has been made clear, as if the Natural Resources Management Plan (PORN) of the Montes de Vitoria were in place, this project would be unfeasible. The Basque Government and the Provincial Council of Álava, or whatever it is, the PNV and the PSE have freely legislated to remove the biggest obstacle to the wind farm in Azaceta, as well as its possible future expansion, i.e. PORN and the Natural Park.

The first step was to stop the designation of the Natural Park. However, PORN was still in force, which prevented the project. Therefore, the second step was to introduce an article in the Law on the Conservation of the Natural Heritage of the Basque Country, approved last year. This means that if a PORN is not approved in five years, this plan will expire as any perishable food, even if the environmental values of the area are maintained. Thanks to this article, only the Basque Government can decide on the protection of the territory and not on environmental reports or zoning values, since the Management Plan can only be approved by the Basque Government. Incredible but true, just as true as the law was passed with the votes of PNV, PSOE, PP and EH Bildu. The third step, once the Natural Resources Management Plan was eliminated, was a facial cleanup, as it proposed the extension to the west of the Special Conservation Area of the Montes de Vitoria, leaving without protection areas of high eastern environmental value such as the Okina ravine or the summit of the Azeta area where the eight wind turbines are to be installed.

Ekologistak spokeswoman Martxan pointed out that “the area where the wind farm is to be installed has the same environmental values as the Natural Resources Management Plan and recommended its declaration as a natural park. Nothing has changed. However, instead of a protected area such as Parque Natural, we will have an industrial facility of general good for the benefit of a private company that has an irreparable impact on biodiversity. Let everyone draw their own conclusions on the priorities of the parties that govern us.”

The problem is, moreover, that this project of eight wind turbines is going to receive a request for extension to install in that area the mills that were not allowed to build Iberdrola in Iturrieta.