CLOUDED OVER!

Plan for massive solar mega-project blocked over fears of effects on nature park and flamingoes

ECOLOGISTS and residents groups are celebrating after a giant solar farm was scrapped near Torrevieja.

The mega-project of 12,000 panels between Los Montesinos and Torrevieja has been turned down because of its proximity to a natural park.

Valencia’s Ministry for Ecological Transition ruled that the massive scheme would be in the ‘buffer zone’ for the La Mata and Torrevieja Natural Park.

The project would have been installed on virgin land by the lakes protected by the area’s Natural Resources Management Plan (PORN). Park officials had already warned the plant might ‘cause degradation of the environment’ or hinder the development of other types of agriculture.

The lakes are among the most important in the region and home to flamingos and many species of migratory bird.

“The plant would have had a significant adverse impact

By Alex Trelinski

on the landscape and environment, especially in the protected area,” confirmed a ministry spokesman.

“The proximity to wetlands in Torrevieja and San Pedro del Pinatar enriches the birdlife that passes and is seen in the area regularly,” he added.

The ruling was celebrated by groups, including the Friends of the South Alicante Wetlands and Friends of the Sierra Escalona (ASE).

“It’s excellent news and sets a good precedent for around a dozen other solar farm applications,” president Miguel Pavon told the Olive Press. His group has helped to organize a series of protests across Alicante, with as many as 180 similar schemes planned for the province alone.

At least two megafarms have so far been scrapped, includ-