The Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO) has taken a significant step towards a more sustainable economy and the recovery of the regions of Asturias and Galicia by launching just transition competitions for renewable energy and storage projects. This important measure was announced in the Official State Gazette (BOE) last Thursday.
With a total of 836 megawatts (MW) available, these competitions are designed to facilitate access to the electrical grid for local initiatives in areas that have suffered the closure of coal-fired power plants. The selection will focus on projects that demonstrate minimal environmental impact and provide socio-economic benefits to affected communities.
In Asturias, two prominent competitions have been established. The first relates to the Narcea 400 kV just transition hub, associated with the closure of the Narcea coal-fired power plant, and will allocate 354 MW of capacity to facilities in locations such as Allande and Cangas del Narcea. The second competition is for the La Pereda 220 kV hub, related to the closure of the coal waste plant in Mieres, offering 74 MW for various municipalities in the Caudal valley.
Galicia will also benefit from this initiative with the launch of the Meirama 220 kV just transition hub competition, linked to the closure of the Cerceda power plant, providing 408 MW of capacity to several municipalities in the region.
The award criteria for these competitions are aimed at promoting job creation, particularly among workers who have been affected by the closure of the plants. Additionally, industrial and agricultural projects will be encouraged, residents will be provided with training, and local self-consumption strategies will be developed. Furthermore, investments that benefit the provincial value chain will be incentivized and the participation of local investors will be encouraged.
These competitions add to the initiatives of the Institute for Just Transition (ITJ), which has already implemented programs to support projects that generate employment and promote investment in local infrastructures. The experience gained from previous competitions, such as the Mudéjar 400 kV in Teruel, which has successfully created a significant number of jobs, will serve as a reference for this new round of initiatives.
With a clear focus on transforming the local economy and mitigating the impact of the energy transition on communities that have relied on coal, this initiative highlights the Spanish government’s strong commitment to a just and sustainable transition.
via: MiMub in Spanish
