Alt CampAlt EmpordàAlt PenedèsAlt UrgellAlta RibagorçaAnoiaAranBagesBaix CampBaix EbreBaix EmpordàBaix LlobregatBaix PenedèsBarcelonèsBerguedàCerdanyaConca de BarberàGarrafGarriguesGarrotxaGironèsLluçanèsMaresmeMoianèsMontsiàNogueraOsonaPallars JussàPallars SobiràPla d'UrgellPla de l'EstanyPrioratRibera d'EbreRipollèsSegarraSegriàSelvaSolsonèsTarragonèsTerra AltaUrgellVallès OccidentalVallès OrientalAlt CampAlt EmpordàAlt PenedèsAlt UrgellAlta RibagorçaAnoiaAranBagesBaix CampBaix EbreBaix EmpordàBaix LlobregatBaix PenedèsBarcelonèsBerguedàCerdanyaConca de BarberàGarrafGarriguesGarrotxaGironèsLluçanèsMaresmeMoianèsMontsiàNogueraOsonaPallars JussàPallars SobiràPla d'UrgellPla de l'EstanyPrioratRibera d'EbreRipollèsSegarraSegriàSelvaSolsonèsTarragonèsTerra AltaUrgellVallès OccidentalVallès Oriental
CA|ES|EN

Diari de Catalunya

One of Catalonia's Largest Photovoltaic Plants in Conca de Barberà and Urgell Rejected

The Ministry for Ecological Transition has dismissed Shell Desarrollo's mega solar park due to administrative documentation deficiencies.

Generic image of solar panels in a field under a blue sky.
IA

Generic image of solar panels in a field under a blue sky.

The Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge has rejected the construction of one of the largest photovoltaic plants planned in Catalonia, which was to occupy 450 hectares between Conca de Barberà and Urgell.

The project, promoted by Shell Desarrollo, envisioned the installation of 365,664 solar panels through two projects, named Bcn Solar 1 and Bcn Solar 2. This initiative, which had already caused discomfort among landowners and residents, has been rejected for failing to accredit various administrative procedures “in due time and form”.
The 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 lack of administrative documentation proved decisive.
The Ministry had already dismissed a previous application on January 20, 2026. Following appeals submitted by Shell Desarrollo, the State has again rejected the project with an identical report, stating that it cannot be declared of public utility because “the affected assets are not determined” for potential compulsory expropriation.
Furthermore, the report highlights that procedures related to access and connection to electricity transmission and distribution networks, as well as the required economic guarantee, were not accredited. The project, which had previously been attempted in 2021 and 2022, ultimately encountered an insurmountable bureaucratic obstacle.

This park did not follow the Government's philosophy regarding the deployment of renewable energies due to its dimensions.

The initiative had generated strong opposition in the territory. In June 2023, 160 individuals and entities submitted allegations, emphasizing the large scale of the park, its landscape impact, its proximity to populated areas like Passanant (300 meters away), and the potential saturation of the Conca de Barberà's electrical grid, which could hinder future self-consumption energy communities.
The DO Conca de Barberà had also expressed opposition, warning of the loss of agricultural land. The Department of Climate Action (now Department of Territory) had already indicated that the project did not align with the Government's philosophy for renewable energy deployment due to its magnitude.

Related News