Video: @tvcostabrava, @oikia_eco / IG

Regulatory push unlocks 3.8 GW of new capacity

Sílvia Paneque, Catalonia's Minister for Territory, Housing and Ecological Transition, announced today that the region is positioning renewable energy and battery storage as key drivers of economic competitiveness. Speaking at the Eco-nòmics green economy congress in Cap Roig, Paneque outlined progress under Decree Law 20/2025, which streamlines administrative processes and establishes the first legal framework for battery energy storage systems (BESS) in Catalonia. Under this new regulatory framework, 41 battery projects have already been authorised, representing 360 MW of capacity. A further 2,334 MW have secured grid access and connection rights, while another 1,981 MW are in the application pipeline. These projects are designed to improve grid flexibility, support industrial electrification and enhance energy security. Paneque highlighted that the updated 2030 Electricity Network Planning, shaped following over 2,500 public submissions including those from the Catalan government, will enable Catalonia to absorb up to 3.8 GW of additional electrical demand, a 50% increase over current peak consumption of 8 GW. The plan, coordinated with Spain’s Ministry for Ecological Transition, includes major infrastructure investments expected to reach €17 billion nationally.

Strategic industrial and health projects backed

The final version of the 2030 plan incorporates nearly all of the Catalan government’s recommendations, including critical support for industrial decarbonisation in Tarragona’s petrochemical hub. The redesign of the Químico 400 kV and 220 kV substation, now planned for Reus, will serve both the chemical sector and a new industrial and health zone in southern Reus. The Montblanc 220 kV substation will also be expanded to boost supply capacity. Additional projects supported include the Girona Health Campus, the Clínic-UB Health Campus, the Costa Brava desalination plant, and preparations for 400 kV power delivery to the Port of Barcelona. These developments are intended to ensure reliable electricity supply for major economic and social infrastructure.

“We are creating the conditions for renewable energy to become a competitive advantage for Catalonia.”

The Catalan Parliament’s recent ratification of Decree Law 22/2025, approved on 19 November 2025 with support from PSC, ERC, Comuns and Junts, removed the requirement for renewable and storage projects to be declared of 'superior public interest'. This change aims to foster greater municipal consensus without blocking development. The decree also simplifies permitting, raises the threshold for mandatory administrative authorisation to 500 kW for wind and solar projects, and facilitates shared self-consumption in industrial warehouses and energy communities. Paneque reaffirmed the government’s commitment to achieving climate neutrality by 2050, citing the Sectoral Territorial Plan for Wind and Solar Electricity Generation (PLATER) and industrial decarbonisation roadmaps as foundational tools. The government’s environmental repository provides further guidance on environmental criteria for BESS projects at mediambient.repositori.gencat.cat.

Primary sources: govern.cat, mediambient.repositori.gencat.cat, miteco.gob.es. Reported by viaempresa.cat, tarragonadigital.com, David Expósito J, Arnau Urgell i Vidal, elperiodico.cat, lavanguardia.com, elnacional.cat, sostenible.cat, elmon.cat, per Antoni Blanquez Aragonés, Energética 21, segre.com.