WRITTEN QUESTION E-1182/01

by Laura González Álvarez (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(19 April 2001)

Subject: Construction of the El Pical wind farm

The El Pical wind farm project which has been developed by Corporación Eólica SA in the districts of Barruelo de Santullán and Brañosera (Palencia, Spain) and which is currently under construction is causing much concern amongst local people on account of the fact that it is located on the boundary of the Fuentes Carrionas-Fuente del Cobre, Montaña Palentina National Park which is home to the brown bear, a listed species threatened with extinction. It will also affect broad swathes of vegetation including beech and holly trees.

It is somewhat inconsistent that the relevant authorities in the Castilla-León region should seek Unesco World Heritage status for the Romanesque architecture of Palencia (which is located in the area concerned) and at the same time allow the installation of hundreds of windmills that spoil the surroundings of monuments which are of exceptional historical and cultural significance.

Although the use of renewable energy sources should indeed be increased, places should be found for wind farms which do not affect the natural and cultural environment.

In the case under consideration there could be infringement of, at the very least, the following Directives:

- 85/337/EEC(1) on environmental impact studies;

- 92/43/EEC(2) on natural habitats;

- 79/409/EEC(3) on the protection of birds.

What action is the Commission intending to take in order to ensure that Community law is properly applied and to prevent irreversible damage to the areas concerned?

(1) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985, p. 40.

(2) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7.

(3) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979, p. 1.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(21 June 2001)

The Commission was not aware of the situation referred to by the Honourable Member. However, it has checked that that the area has been proposed by Spain for inclusion in the Natura 2000 network provided for in Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (site ES 4140011 - Fuentes Carrionas - Fuente del Cobre, montaña palentina). The area has also been classified by the Spanish authorities as a special protection area for birds under Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds.

The site covers an area of 78 178 hectares.

The area hosts one of the most endangered mammals in Europe, the brown bear, a priority species listed in Annex II to Council Directive 92/43/EEC, with a population of twenty animals. It also contains 31 of the habitat types listed in Annex I to Directive 92/43/EEC, 8 of which are priority (4030, 6212, 4020, 6220, 9580, 7130, 7220 and 6230).

The area hosts 24 of the bird species listed in Annex I to Directive 79/409/EEC. Other forest and alpine birds are also present and are of great national and regional importance (Dendrocopus medius, Dryocopus martius and Aquila chrysaetos). The presence of another 24 migratory species has also been noted.

In view of the above, the Commission has decided to launch an own-initiative investigation to look into the situation referred to in the written question.

It has contacted the Spanish authorities to check that Community law is being observed in this instance.