The development of large solar photovoltaic plants in rural areas near Aranjuez, especially in the municipality of Colmenar de Oreja, has sparked a heated controversy. between authorities, residents and cultural and environmental groups.
Two projects in particular, called Envatios XXII – Phase II and Los Pradillos, are at the center of the debate. due to its location close to schools and residential areas, as well as its potential impact on the protected landscape of the Aranjuez Cultural Landscape—a UNESCO-recognized heritage site—and the area's biodiversity.
Environmental impact and loss of century-old olive trees
Estimates made by citizen platforms and specialized media indicate that between 11.000 and 13.000 olive trees could be cut down. for the construction of these two solar plants. This figure, although not officially confirmed, is based on calculations made using tools from the Ministry of Agriculture on an area of 166 hectares of olive groves affected.
The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) approved in 2023 requires developers to apply certain restrictions. and mitigation measures, such as avoiding indiscriminate tree felling or respecting vulnerable flora. However, citizen groups denounce the lack of guarantees regarding effective enforcement of these regulations.
Concern for health in nearby school environments
One of the main concerns expressed by the neighbors It affects the proximity of these facilities (around 25-100 meters) to educational centers such as the Victoria Kamhi nursery school and the Maestro Rodrigo school.
The focus is on the possible effects of electromagnetic fields generated by the power lines connecting these plants. Although the current international scientific consensus considers that The expected levels are well below the risk thresholdsSome studies do identify a relationship between prolonged exposure and cases of childhood leukemia. The scientific community, however, acknowledges that a clear causal relationship has not yet been demonstrated.
Experts from various research centers recommend maintaining a cautious attitude and strengthen protective measures in projects located near child populations. Some suggestions include the use of protective screens, magnetic field monitoring, and reviewing urban development plans in adjacent areas.
Airborne dust: a silent pollutant
There is also concern about the emission of fine particles during the initial phases of the works., especially due to earthmoving and heavy machinery.
Air pollution experts stress that These emissions can affect air quality in nearby areas, although it is a temporal effect associated with the construction phaseRecommended measures include moistening roads, controlling the speed of machinery, installing plant barriers, and even adjusting construction schedules to avoid disruptions during school hours.
Controversy over the impact on UNESCO heritage
The land where the solar plants are located is within the buffer zone of the Aranjuez Cultural Landscape., a UNESCO World Heritage site. Although these areas are not part of the protected core, they do deserve special attention in terms of conservation and landscape management.
The Ministry of Culture has determined that there is no direct impact on the heritage value. of the enclave, based on reports provided by the project's developers. However, the Aranjuez City Council and other entities such as the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando have expressed their disagreement, describing the impact as "severe and permanent."
Flora, fauna and ecosystems under pressure
The DIA also contemplates that The projects could interfere with steppe bird populations and other vulnerable species such as the Montagu's harrier or the Iberian sandgrouse. Despite the demands to establish exclusion zones, wildlife crossings, and avoid aggressive fencing, There are no clear guarantees that these conditions will be met once construction has begun..
Furthermore, intensive use of agricultural land and habitat change could harm local biodiversity. There are fears that the implementation of panels on traditional crops such as olives irreversibly change the ecological structure of the environment.
Regarding other plant species, there are indicators of the presence of habitats of community interest and protected vegetation. Mitigation measures require the conservation of unique specimens and the maintenance of vegetation margins, but their actual implementation raises doubts among experts.
A major project: The “Nudo Fuencarral” and the promoters
The Envatios XXII – Phase II and Los Pradillos projects are part of a package of five larger initiatives led by the Swiss company Edisun PowerThis company, little known in Spain until recently, has taken on numerous projects in the region after acquiring previous developments in various locations.
The planned solar plants will total nearly 941 MW of capacity, within the so-called . This involves not only plants in different locations but also shared power lines, which has led to a patchwork of cumulative micro-impacts that concern environmentalists and residents.
Meanwhile, the administration continues to analyze new similar requests in the same area., which has generated a growing fear of “oversaturation” of photovoltaic installations without coherent territorial planning.