Summary
- residents of San Miguel de Salinas protest against the construction of a solar plant.
- Acuamed has halted its initial plans but has yet to find a new site.
- Citizens advocate for sustainable energy solutions that respect local agriculture.
- Choice proposals include solar panels along existing infrastructure.
San Miguel de Salinas Residents Rally for Sustainable energy Solutions Amid Disputed Solar Plant Plans
On March 3, 2023, the residents of San Miguel de Salinas marked one year since thier unanimous opposition to the Ministry for Ecological Transition’s proposal to build a solar plant on 200 hectares in the region. The community expressed deep concerns over the environmental impact,notably on the area’s rich agricultural heritage.
Community Rejection and Regulatory Challenges
The Asociación de Vecinos highlighted that the local opposition was so strong that Acuamed, the state-owned company responsible for managing the desalination plant in Torrevieja, decided to abandon the initial location for the solar farm. however, the company has not yet provided a definitive solution regarding an alternative site.
Acuamed is currently considering the purchase of a private project located just 500 meters from the original site. This new location,while administratively approved,has raised similar concerns from locals due to its projected environmental impact.
Financial concerns on the Horizon
The financial feasibility of the proposed site remains contentious. An external evaluation placed the operating cost at three million euros, while the private company demands more than double that amount. If negotiations falter, Acuamed suggests fragmenting the solar installation into several smaller sites.
Citizens Demand Sustainable Solutions
Community members are urging the government not to yield to private speculation, advocating rather for sustainable solutions that preserve the area’s natural assets. The rallying cry on March 3 was “Renewable energy, yes; but not like this,” emphasizing the desire for more considerate development.
Proposing Alternative Energy Solutions
Since the start of the conflict, the neighborhood association has taken a proactive approach, proposing alternative sites for solar panel installation.Suggestions include positioning solar panels along the Tajo-Segura transfer canal or along the AP-7 highway. They also recommend incorporating vertical tower technologies that harness energy sustainably without jeopardizing local resources.
Prospect for Innovation: National Road 332 Expansion
The Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility has agreed on expanding the National Road 332 in Torrevieja, which presents an exciting opportunity for renewable energy generation.This project involves duplicating 4.47 kilometers of roadway and could effectively harness energy from traffic flow, solar power, and other innovative energy-generation techniques.
Potential Energy Sources from Road Infrastructure
- Solar panels on roadside installations.
- Pavement embedded with piezoelectric sensors that convert pressure from vehicles into electricity.
- Kinetic energy from moving vehicles could be transformed into power.
Implementing such forward-thinking solutions would position the area as a model for sustainable development. However, this would require meaningful modifications to the existing project plan, which has taken over seven years to validate just a portion of its length.
Conclusion
The situation in San Miguel de Salinas serves as a critical case study in the tensions between development, environmental preservation, and community involvement. As local residents remain vigilant about the impacts of industrial projects, their call for more sustainable and respectful energy solutions is a reminder of the importance of community voices in shaping the future landscape of energy production.