The Spanish Path to Energy Justice

Abstract

This chapter examines the regulatory challenges in Spain to balance the energy transition with environmental protection, focusing on energy justice as a conceptual framework. It explores the conflict between the development of large-scale renewable energy projects, such as wind farms, and their impact on rural landscapes, which has provoked resistance from local communities. Using the case of Galicia as a reference, the study discusses the European Union’s “overriding public interest” principle and its practical limitations within the Spanish judicial system. It highlights the need to reconcile climate objectives with environmental regulations, emphasising the importance of more efficient territorial planning and the application of environmental zoning techniques. The research concludes by advocating for a regulatory approach that prioritises proportionality and legal certainty, integrating energy justice mechanisms to ensure a fair and sustainable transition. This approach aims to respect both climate targets and the interests of affected communities, offering legal solutions to facilitate an equilibrium between advancing renewable energy projects and preserving the environment.