The project, spearheaded by Shell Desarrollo under the names Bcn Solar 1 and Bcn Solar 2, envisioned the installation of 365,664 solar panels. The decision is based on the promoters' failure to properly accredit various administrative procedures “in due time and form,” as reported by the Ministry.
The mega-plant and its evacuation route affected the municipalities of Passanant i Belltall, Vallfogona de Riucorb, Montblanc, and l'Espluga de Francolí in Conca de Barberà, as well as Vallbona de les Monges and Ciutadilla in Urgell. Despite having obtained favorable environmental impact studies, the procedural deficiencies were decisive for the rejection.
It cannot be declared of public utility because the affected assets are not determined before compulsory expropriation can take place.
This is not the first time the project has faced obstacles. On January 20, 2026, the Ministry had already rejected the request for prior administrative authorization. Following the appeals presented by Shell Desarrollo, the State has again rejected the initiative with an identical report, also citing the lack of a required “economic guarantee” and issues with access and connection to the electricity grids.
The proposal had generated considerable unrest among property owners and residents of the affected municipalities. In June 2023, 160 individuals and entities filed objections, highlighting the “large dimension” and landscape impact of the park, its proximity to population centers like Passanant (300 meters away), and the saturation of the Conca de Barberà electricity grid.
The Consell Comarcal de la Conca de Barberà had warned that the installation could saturate the electrical node, preventing future self-consumption energy communities. The DO Conca de Barberà had also opposed it due to the “loss of agricultural land,” and the Departament d'Acció Climàtica (now Departament de Territori) had stated that the project did not align with the Government's “philosophy” on renewable energy deployment due to its size.
