The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has upheld the legality of Galicia’s wind farm authorisation procedures, removing a key legal barrier that had delayed nearly 100 renewable energy projects in the northwestern Spanish region.
The decision is expected to accelerate progress on wind energy development in Galicia, where legal uncertainty has stalled significant investment in recent years.
The Wind Energy Business Association (AEE), Spain’s main wind energy trade body, welcomed the ruling and called on the High Court of Justice of Galicia to move quickly in resolving remaining legal challenges.
“This resolution restores the confidence of developers, strengthens the credibility of the legal framework, and allows us to urgently resume the path of wind energy development in Galicia,” said AEE director general Juan Virgilio Márquez. “We’re not just talking about competitive energy; we’re talking about skilled employment, value-added industries, improving the rural environment, territorial cohesion, and fulfilling climate commitments.”
The AEE noted that the legal paralysis had lasted over three years, negatively impacting rural economies, slowing industrial investment, and hindering Spain’s energy transition efforts.
Since 2020, Galicia has added only 171 megawatts (MW) of new wind capacity, in contrast to 6 gigawatts (GW) nationally. The region currently operates 186 wind farms with a combined capacity of 3.92GW, producing 8,636 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity in 2024.
Approximately 92 wind farms, representing about 2.5GW of potential capacity, remain entangled in ongoing legal proceedings. The AEE urged the courts to recognise the public interest in renewable energy, which is protected under EU law, when assessing these cases.
