Labraza wind farm, a company owned by Iberdrola España, obtains the declaration of public utility and moves forward towards its construction in Álava
- The public-private partnership, Aixeindar, created by Iberdrola España together with EVE, has received a decisive boost for the execution of this 40 MW renewable facility and its evacuation infrastructure
- The first wind farm to be launched in the Basque Country after almost 20 years is now a reality, having obtained all administrative authorisations and received the green light throughout its entire process
Labraza wind farm in the Basque Country
The Labraza wind farm has received a decisive boost for its future construction. According to the resolution published on Thursday, 24 July, in the Official State Gazette, the Directorate General for Energy Policy and Mines has granted the declaration of public utility for this 40 MW facility and its evacuation infrastructure. This procedure acknowledges the project's public interest and accelerates the necessary steps for its implementation.
The public-private partnership, Aixeindar, created by Iberdrola España together with EVE, has signed numerous land transfer agreements with local property owners, thus establishing a solid foundation for the deployment of the facility. This also strengthens its commitment to local development and guarantees the project's feasibility.
The Labraza wind farm has already applied for the building permit from the Oyón (Álava) Town Hall, after obtaining all the necessary prior administrative authorisations: the Environmental Impact Declaration (DIA), the Preliminary Administrative Authorisation (AAP), and the Construction Administrative Authorisation (AAC). As a result, the project has the necessary approval to move forward with its execution.
In addition, a crowdfunding process is underway that will allow locals from Álava to become owners of the wind farm, contributing to the financial investment of the project and earning an attractive return while promoting the transition to a more sustainable energy model.
The project is led by Álava natives, Javier Martínez de Ilarduya - Iberdrola España - and Javier Marqués - EVE, reinforcing the commitment to the region and the direct involvement of local professionals in driving the energy transition.
The project also incorporates measures from the CONVIVE programme, aimed at maximising territorial integration and environmental respect. Among them is the protection of birdlife and bats through the implementation of an innovative system for deterring, detecting, and automatically stopping wind turbines. The project is also expected to provide direct economic and social benefits to the surrounding area, including a fiscal contribution to the municipal budget, a reduction in energy costs for residents, sponsorship of charitable races, and the installation of electric vehicle charging points.
The first renewable wind farm in the Basque Country since 2006
The first wind farm to be launched in the Basque Country after almost 20 years is now a reality, having obtained all necessary administrative approvals and received the green light throughout its processing. Labraza (Álava) will become the first renewable wind installation in the Basque Country since 2006.
Furthermore, this renewable installation has been declared of public interest by the Department of Territorial Balance and Land Planning of the Álava Provincial Council - Arabako Foru Aldundia.
The Labraza wind project, with an investment of €49 million, will feature 8 wind turbines of 5 MW each and has resolved the electrical connection of the evacuation line to the Laguardia substation. It will produce 99,679 MWh annually, supplying renewable energy to 29,951 households and preventing the emission of 16,300 tCO2 into the atmosphere. Up to 90 jobs are expected to be created during the construction phase.
This 40 MW renewable project thus becomes the first wind facility to generate 100% green energy to be launched in the Basque Country since 2006. Located in Álava, Labraza (Oyón) will add to the current wind capacity installed by Iberdrola España in the Basque Country, which stands at 143 MW across four wind farms: Oiz, Elgea, Urkilla, and Badaia.
Aixeindar is an example of public-private collaboration and highlights the commitment of both partners to energy transition and renewable energies.
Iberdrola España’s wind farms in the Basque Country
The Elgea-Urkilla wind farm, inaugurated in 2000, was the first one Iberdrola España launched in the Basque Country and is the largest of the four in operation in the region.
The installation consists of 78 wind turbines (40 in Elgea and 38 in Urkilla), located at the border between Álava and Gipuzkoa, at the Uradakotena pass. Its construction required an investment of €24 million. Elgea-Urkilla has a total installed capacity of 59.27 MW, and the electricity it generates powers more than 50,000 Basque households.
Elgea-Urkilla also features the first battery storage system in a wind farm in the Basque Country, with an installed capacity of 5 MW and 5 MWh of storage.
In November 2005, the Badaia wind farm was commissioned. Located in the Sierra Brava de Badaia, which separates the Kuartango Valley from the Llanada Alavesa, the wind farm has an installed capacity of 49.5 MW, consisting of 30 wind turbines with a diameter of 80 metres and a nominal power of 1,670 kW.
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