Valencia given the green light for wind energy at sea

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The Government gives the green light to the wind energy marina off the coast of Valencia.

The Ministry of Environment and Industry has approved the Strategic Environmental Study of the Spanish Coastline that will allow the development of the marine wind energy in front of the coast of Vinarós.  According to the Government, the approval of the study will allow the roll out of marine wind technology in Spain, guaranteeing the preservation of the environment.

The Environmental Strategic Study has gathered some of the proposals of the Valencia Government and extended considerably the protection areas. Nevertheless it confirms the area of Vinarós.  After analysing the existing conditions in a coastal strip of 24 miles, the Government favours the area of Vinarós, where the local fishermen and some political groups had defended the importance of the fishing sector and its link with tourism through their famous prawn.

The Valencia Government had asked for the exclusion of areas of interest involving fishing, social, economic, tourist, cultural and landscape. In addition, it requested the commissioning of landscape studies in order to avoid possible effects to the tourist centres and to recreational activities.

So, in relation to the effects on tourism and the landscape, the document maintains that they should be located up to eight kilometers off the coast, where due to the curvature of the earth, the wind towers will no longer will be visible from the coast.

Great potential

According to an independent study, the coast of the Valencian Comunitat is, by its extension and characteristics, is the one that allows the greatest wind power potential in Spain. The report establishes a potential or ceiling of production of 30.10 GW, compares with the nuclear power station at Cofrentes which has only 1.1 GW of power. The wind potential has been calculated according to technology that will be available in 2050, with generators of at least 4.5 MW, that are 114 meters in diameter and 120 meters high, which will be at the environmental limitations. In fact, in the coasts of Castelló there are three projects in the early phase of design and the basic engineering exists that applies to all the coast between there and the border with Tarragona.

This pioneering project of Wind Energy in the coastal area in front of Vinarós is being pioneered by Iberdrola Renewables. The company, with headquarters in Valencia, has asked for a reservation in order to realise previous studies to request authorisation of the projects in Punta de las Salinas and Costa de Azahar.

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