The European Court of Justice has ruled that the procedures used in Galicia for permitting wind farms comply with European Union law. This removes the legal uncertainty that had halted nearly 100 wind projects in the region.
The Spanish Wind Energy Association (AEE) welcomed the ruling and called on the High Court of Justice of Galicia to speed up decisions on the pending cases. According to AEE, the delays have caused significant economic and social damage, particularly in rural areas, and have slowed progress on renewable energy targets.
Between 2020 and 2024, only 171 MW of new wind capacity was installed in Galicia, compared with 6,000 MW across Spain. The region currently has 186 operating wind farms with 3,920 MW of capacity, producing 8,636 GWh annually, but 92 projects totalling about 2,500 MW remain tied up in court.
AEE said the ruling restores investor confidence and opens the way for Galicia to resume development of new wind capacity, which is key for decarbonisation, rural jobs and industrial growth.
