The Spanish government has taken another step toward making the expansion of the Aguayo hydroelectric plant in Cantabria a reality. The Government Delegation in Cantabria published the call for preliminary land acquisition documents in the Official State Gazette (BOE) this Thursday. This procedure will allow Repsol Generación Eléctrica to begin the construction project. The Government Delegate in Cantabria, Pedro Casares, stated that the process has been expedited to bring to fruition an energy project that is essential for Cantabria and for Spain.
Almost all of these land occupations have already been agreed upon in the three affected municipalities: San Miguel de Aguayo, Bárcena de Pie de Concha, and Molledo. The official records will be drawn up in October. In San Miguel de Aguayo, this will take place on the 6th and 7th, from 9:00 a.m. to 16:00 p.m. In Molledo, it will be on the 7th, from 13:20 p.m. to 16:00 p.m., and in Bárcena de Pie de Concha on the 8th, starting at 9:00 a.m. The project was authorized and declared to be of public utility last June , which represents key administrative support.
Investment and capacity of the new infrastructure
The project entails a total investment of around €900 million , as detailed by the government representative. It also has €180 million in funding from the European Union, which considers it a key initiative. The expansion will increase the plant's capacity to 1.400 megawatts , providing enough energy to supply more than 800.000 homes in Spain.
Casares emphasized that this is a key energy project not only for Cantabria, but for the entire country. "This government has promoted the expansion of the Aguayo hydroelectric plant like never before, after years and years of hearing about this project, and which, finally, will be built thanks to the commitment of this administration," he declared. The delegate stressed that the project is strategic for the national energy system.
A project with European and local support
The Aguayo expansion is part of Spain's commitment to renewable energy and energy storage. The Spanish government has prioritized this type of infrastructure to strengthen hydroelectric energy security and advance the ecological transition. European Union funding, along with private investment, demonstrates the shared interest in promoting hydroelectricity as a manageable and complementary energy source to solar and wind power.
The government delegate celebrated this administrative advancement as a decisive step towards realizing one of the largest industrial and energy investments planned for Cantabria. With the convening of the preliminary meetings, the process is now unblocked, allowing Repsol Generación Eléctrica to begin work on the affected land. The procedures are progressing swiftly and with close coordination among the involved administrations.
The publication in the Official State Gazette (BOE) of the call for bids to occupy the Aguayo land marks a milestone for this Cantabrian infrastructure project. The project, with an investment of nearly €900 million and €180 million in European funds, will increase capacity to 1.400 MW and serve more than 800.000 homes. Preliminary site surveys will be conducted in October in San Miguel de Aguayo, Molledo, and Bárcena de Pie de Concha, following the declaration of public utility approved in June. All indications are that the expansion is progressing steadily toward construction.
