Opponents of La Baells power plant label developers' promises as bribery

Environmental groups in Berguedà criticize investment plans ahead of the local referendum on March 28.

Generic image of the natural environment of the La Baells reservoir in Berguedà.
IA

Generic image of the natural environment of the La Baells reservoir in Berguedà.

The Grup de Defensa de la Natura del Berguedà and the Pla de Clarà Viu movement have strongly criticized the La Baells hydroelectric project before the upcoming votes in Vilada and la Nou.

Opponents argue that the promised benefits, such as road improvements and tax payments, are legal obligations rather than voluntary contributions. They claim these announcements are a strategy to influence the public consultation scheduled for March 28.

"These are crumbs from a project that will have vastly superior profits and an attempt at bribery to buy the neighbors' silence."

Hèctor Aranda · President of the Berguedà Nature Defense Group
The groups also expressed skepticism regarding the creation of 30 jobs, citing that modern plants are often fully automated. They warned that the project, linked to major corporations like ACS, would prioritize external interests over local sustainability and the preservation of the Berguedà natural landscape.