Sargatal calls for careful renewable energy planning

Jordi Sargatal, the Generalitat's secretary for Ecological Transition, has said Catalonia needs more solar and wind power but should not place projects in unsuitable locations, citing Montserrat as an example. In an interview published by L’Empordà on 20 August 2026, he said the approach matters for residents and councils considering renewable developments across Catalonia.

Sargatal said reducing carbon dioxide emissions requires moving away from fossil fuels such as oil and coal, while limiting the effect of new infrastructure on the landscape and wildlife.

“We need photovoltaic and wind energy, but sensibly. We are not going to put wind turbines on the summit of Montserrat.”

PLATER consultation aims to guide project locations

Sargatal said the Generalitat's PLATER planning document is intended to move decisions on where solar installations should be located away from company-led proposals and towards a plan set by the Generalitat and Ajuntaments, the local councils.

According to Sargatal, the work has brought together 141 layers of information to identify suitable areas for photovoltaic development. He said PLATER is in public consultation and will have a second consultation phase.

The document is intended to guide the siting of photovoltaic installations.
The Generalitat and local councils are intended to take part in identifying locations.
Sargatal said the process will include a second public-information phase.

“We want, even where there are disagreements, to try to achieve a country-wide document so that installations can be built sensibly and carefully.”

Conditions for solar and offshore wind projects

Sargatal said solar parks with raised, widely spaced panels and no pesticide use could provide habitat for butterflies, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. He contrasted that model with tightly packed, ground-level panels.

He also backed testing the potential effects of an offshore wind project in the Bay of Roses. He said any scheme should be located far enough offshore not to be visible and should be assessed for effects on birds, cetaceans and fishing.

Residents and councils wishing to take part in the PLATER process will be able to do so during the Generalitat's current public-information period and the planned second phase, Sargatal said.

Reported by L'Empordà.