The Basque Government and Iberdrola España to invest €59 million in the first wind farm in the Basque Country in 20 years, with Siemens Gamesa as the supplier

The company created by Iberdrola España and EVE to drive new renewable projects in the Basque Country, Aixeindar, is making progress with the construction of the Labraza wind farm, located in the Alavan municipality of Oion. This will be the first wind farm in the Basque Country to be launched since 2006. The initiative involves a €59 million investment and aims to provide a major boost to the Basque wind energy supply chain, a sector in which the region is a market leader.

The Basque Government and Iberdrola España have partnered with Siemens Gamesa, based in the Bizkaia Technology Park (Zamudio), which will build the 8 SG 5.0-145 (2.0) wind turbines, each with a capacity of 5 MW. The gearboxes for this model will be manufactured at the Asteasu (Gipuzkoa) facilities, and the substation is being handled by EDS Ingeniería y Montaje, based in Galdakao (Bizkaia).

The development of renewable energy parks in the Basque Country is both a necessity and an opportunity for the local industry. The development of these wind turbines represents a commitment to the Basque industry that will generate a knock-on effect throughout the Basque wind energy supply chain. Advancing renewable generation in the region while supporting an important sector for the Basque industry—wind energy—is crucial. The community is currently a leader in technological and industrial capacity in wind energy.

This wind farm does not require the construction of new electrical infrastructure for connection to the grid, as it will use an evacuation line through the substation of the existing wind farms in Aguilar de Codés (Navarra), significantly reducing environmental impacts.

Once operational, the farm will produce 99,679 MWh annually, supplying renewable energy to 30,000 homes, equivalent to the populations of Durango or Eibar. Additionally, it will avoid the emission of 16,300 tCO2, which is equivalent to the emissions of over 50,000 vehicles. To achieve the same CO₂ savings, 1.7 million trees would need to be planted.

The Labraza wind farm has recently requested the building permit and is progressing with project execution after obtaining all previous authorisations during the sectorial processing: Environmental Impact Declaration (DIA), Prior Administrative Authorisation (AAP), Construction Administrative Authorisation (AAC), and urban planning approvals following the Special Plan's approval.

Once all administrative procedures are completed, construction is expected to begin in the last quarter of this year, with the farm anticipated to be operational one year after construction begins.

With a capacity of 40 MW, this project will be the first wind facility to generate 100% green energy to be launched in the Basque Country since 2006. Located in Álava, in the administrative areas of Labraza and Barriobusto (Oion), it will contribute to the region's installed wind capacity. Iberdrola España currently distributes 143 MW of the total 153 MW in the community through its four wind farms: Oiz, Elgea, Urkilla, and Badaia.

This morning, the Minister for Industry, Energy Transition, and Sustainability, Mikel Jauregi, the CEO of Iberdrola Renovables Energía, Julio Castro, and the Managing Director of Siemens Energy and Siemens Gamesa in Spain, Kerman Gabiola, along with the Vice Minister for Energy Transition, Irantzu Allende, and the General Director of the Ente Vasco de la Energía, Mikel Amundarain, visited the Oiz wind farm, the first wind farm installed in Bizkaia in 2003, a joint project between the Basque Government and Iberdrola España, featuring Gamesa turbines.

In this context, Mikel Jauregi emphasised the "spirit that developed the Oiz wind farm, as a model of public-private collaboration that creates and strengthens the Basque industrial fabric". He further highlighted the significance of the new renewable project at Labraza: "Basque society is fully committed to renewable energy, as is this Government. For the first time in 20 years, the Basque Country will have a new wind farm generating green energy for our homes and industries. And we will do this through a public-private initiative, relying on our wind energy industry's value chain, a sector in which we are a European reference."

"We also want," Mikel Jauregi stressed, "a social model that directly benefits the local communities where renewable projects are developed, as well as local councils and companies. In this way, we contribute to environmental care, decarbonisation, the development of our industry, and the improvement of local societies, towns, and businesses."

Julio Castro, CEO of Iberdrola Renovables Energía, stated, "Iberdrola España has the investment capacity, experience, and technology to drive renewable projects wherever it goes. To do it here, in our own land, after twenty years, fills us with pride. And it fills us with pride not only because it benefits the Basque citizens, but also because we are supported by Basque institutions and industry. The Basque Country has the potential to produce the entire wind energy supply chain, yet it has not had a new wind farm for 20 years, and this one is from Iberdrola España. We cannot fall behind. Iberdrola España has the strength, as indicated by the name of the company alongside the EVE, Aixeindar (wind strength in Basque), to carry out, with all guarantees and demonstrated experience, projects that will turn the Basque Country into a leader in the decarbonisation of our industry through renewable energy and electrification. We cannot miss this opportunity. We have a lot at stake."

For his part, Kerman Gabiola, Managing Director of Siemens Energy and Siemens Gamesa in Spain, highlighted, "The Labraza wind farm is a very important project for the Basque Country. We are proud to carry it out together with our partner Iberdrola España, the Ente Vasco de la Energía, and the Basque Government. The local added value is very high. This is the first wind farm to be built in the Basque Country in the last two decades, which represents a significant step forward in the reactivation of wind energy in the region."