Judicial Review Underway Over Alcarràs Solar Evacuation Line

The Administrative Contentious Court of Lleida is holding a hearing today, Monday 5 October 2026, into a legal challenge against the municipal permit granted by the Paeria (Ajuntament de Lleida) for the evacuation line of the Alcarràs photovoltaic complex. The case, brought by the citizen platform Lleida contra la MAT, contests the legality of the 1.8-kilometre aerial stretch that crosses the protected Horta de Lleida farmland, passing just ten metres from residential properties. Under Article 4 of Lleida’s municipal urban planning ordinance, electrical lines within the Horta must either be buried or use existing infrastructure corridors. The platform argues the current routing fails to comply and demands the permit be annulled. Dorinda Aventín, the group’s lawyer, stated the permit violates both local planning and renewable energy regulations by not ensuring minimal landscape impact.

Technical Witnesses and Flood Risk Concerns

Approximately fifteen technical experts are scheduled to testify, including three from the Catalan Water Agency (Agència Catalana de l’Aigua, ACA), two from the Paeria, representatives from the Generalitat’s energy and biodiversity departments, and members of the Lleida Territorial Urban Planning Commission. The ACA had issued two prior reports urging assessment of underground cabling near the Segre River due to flood vulnerability, as outlined in the Catalan River Basin Flood Risk Management Plan (PGRI) 2022–2027. Adrià Drago, president of Lleida contra la MAT, noted that while 60% of the complex’s 27km of associated lines were successfully buried following public objections, this specific segment remains overhead. The platform insists that even though the line is already operational, the court retains the authority to annul the permit and order corrective measures, including burial or dismantling.

“A line can be dismantled and legality does not expire when works finish,”

, Pilar Sanvicén, secretary of Lleida contra la MAT

The Paeria maintains it was legally obligated to issue the construction licence because the project was approved by the Generalitat under previous administration mandates and meets both regional and municipal regulatory requirements. In a statement dated 16 January 2025, the city council said it had taken all possible steps within its municipal competences to minimise environmental impact and protect the Horta, citing the successful burial of another high-voltage line leading to the Mangraners substation. Meanwhile, the platform has initiated a separate legal procedure at the High Court of Justice of Catalonia (TSJC) challenging the Generalitat’s prior authorisations, including administrative approval, construction permit, and declaration of public utility, on grounds that the Alcarràs solar complex was improperly split into eight 50MW plants instead of being processed as a single 400MW facility. If proven, this alleged fragmentation could invalidate the approvals. Following today’s hearing, both parties will submit written conclusions, after which the court will issue its ruling.

Primary sources: aca.gencat.cat, Agència Catalana de l'Aigua. Generalitat de Catalunya, formaciooberta.eapc.gencat.cat. Reported by ACN, paeria.cat, EDUARDO BAYONA, lamanyana.cat.