Windfarm project edges closer

PLANS to build an offshore windfarm off the coast of Malaga edged closer this week when the Spanish government approved a document defining the location of 18 areas susceptible to house this type of technology.

One of the plots involves 1,200 square kilometres in the Alboran Sea opposite Marbella and Fuengirola.

This new development follows on from the recent announcement of plans by the company IberBlue Wind to build a windfarm covering nearly 310 square kilometres off the coasts of Malaga and Cadiz.

The project entitled Nao Victoria would consist of 55 generators with a combined power of 990 megawatts. The towers could reach up to 150 metres tall and produce an estimated 4,600 GWh. Given the controversy that these projects usually trigger among environmen­ talist organisations and residents, the Spanish executive performed an analysis of the areas and worked closely with the regional governments and affected sectors, such as the fishing trade, as well as guaranteeing that marine biodiversity would not be affected.

However, any windfarm projects would have to receive a favourable environmental impact report before going ahead.