Andalusia’s Olive Groves Face Extinction for Solar Farm Expansion
A growing dispute in Andalusia is pitting renewable energy expansion against the survival of ancient olive groves. Near Granada, plans to clear centuries-old trees for a massive solar farm have sparked widespread protests. Farmers warn that the project could destroy their livelihoods and erase a key part of the region’s cultural heritage.
Spain has become a European leader in solar energy, but the rapid push for renewables is now clashing with rural communities. In Andalusia, proposals for new solar parks threaten up to 1,000 hectares of fertile land, including nearly 100,000 olive trees. Local cooperatives face losing over €2 million in yearly revenue if the groves are removed.
The standoff highlights the challenges of Spain’s renewable transition as it weighs economic growth against cultural and environmental costs. With solar farms expanding, the outcome in Andalusia could set a precedent for how the country manages similar disputes. For now, farmers and officials remain at odds over the future of the region’s olive groves.
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