The Xunta will establish a fee to tax offshore wind farms, specifically the installation of onshore power lines , with the future regional law, already announced, so that the benefits of natural resources revert to Galicia.
The new regulation, called the promotion of social and economic benefits that use the natural resources of Galicia, has begun its processing this Thursday, with the start of public consultation, and will regulate not only renewable energy facilities, but also those involving water concessions and mining operations.
This was explained by the president of the Xunta, Alfonso Rueda, who stressed that the wealth of natural resources "is a heritage of all Galicians, not only those of today, but also those of tomorrow" so that their exploitation must have a return and benefit for the population.
Novelties
Among the novelties of the law, he highlighted the creation of the new fee whose collection will be dedicated "to the same environmental purposes" as the one that already exists for onshore wind energy, although focused on the fishing sector, which is the one that will be affected by this activity.
It will also involve the creation of a mixed public-private company, with the participation of the Xunta, to own the projects that take advantage of the natural resources and guarantee that the benefits of the exploitation are reinvested in the area.
In addition, the law will expand the scope of the environmental impact statements (EIS) required for projects to evaluate the reduction in the price of electricity for companies and inhabitants of the area, as well as the participation in local investments, among other new aspects.