Solar projects in Andalusia threaten 100,000 olive trees in Lopera

In Lopera, an agricultural village in Andalusia, photovoltaic plant projects plan to expropriate olive-growing land, sparking opposition from residents over the potential uprooting of 100,000 olive trees.

Partagez:

Francisco Campos, a farmer in Lopera in southern Spain, watches with concern as his centuries-old olive trees could soon be replaced by a photovoltaic park. This municipality of 3,600 inhabitants, located 200 kilometres northeast of Seville, is at the centre of a clash between the renewable energy sector and traditional agriculture. Spain, the world’s largest olive oil exporter, sees its Andalusian farmland targeted by operators such as Greenalia and FRV Arroyadas, eager to install several solar plants over nearly 1,000 hectares.

An agricultural sector under land pressure

The companies involved, according to residents, have already signed lease agreements covering most of the targeted land, although they did not respond to AFP’s requests for comment. Andalusia’s regional authorities are considering expropriations to facilitate these developments, citing public interest. This measure is being contested by smallholders, who denounce the loss of their livelihoods. Rafael Alcalá, spokesperson for the Campiña Norte Platform against Mega Solar Plants, estimates that 100,000 olive trees are at risk, compared to 13,000 claimed by the regional government.

Rural mobilisation against energy operators

Dozens of farmers recently demonstrated with their tractors at the entrance of Lopera, voicing their opposition to the projects. In this region, the olive tree represents the main economic resource. The local cooperative La Loperana estimates a yearly loss of EUR2.2mn if 500 hectares of crops were to disappear. Retiree María Josefa Palomo questions the future of her family’s heritage, while young farmer Juan Cantera worries about the intergenerational impact.

Institutional defence and ongoing litigation

The Andalusian regional government, through Jorge Paradela, Regional Industry Councillor, defends the solar development strategy, stating that less than 1% of the affected areas required expropriations. The grid operator Red Eléctrica de España (REE) reports that 56.8% of Spain’s electricity now comes from renewable sources, including 17% from solar. The Spanish Photovoltaic Union (Unef), representing 800 companies, highlights the fiscal benefits generated by solar parks in rural municipalities.

However, Lopera’s residents, who have initiated legal proceedings against the companies and the regional executive, denounce the uprooting of 5,000 trees already observed on land ceded by one farmer. Faced with the rapid expansion of solar infrastructure, many intend to defend their land at all costs.

Générale du Solaire has inaugurated in Leutenheim, Bas-Rhin, a floating photovoltaic plant of approximately 20 MWc installed on a former gravel pit, marking the region's first large-scale project supported by successful local participatory funding.
Plenitude and Modine have signed an agreement to build a photovoltaic plant with an installed capacity of 1.585 MWp in Pocenia, designed to power thermal and refrigeration equipment at Modine’s Italian industrial site, without initial investment.
Namibia begins construction of its largest solar plant, Sores|Gaib, aiming to reduce dependence on energy imports by leveraging its solar potential, considered among the highest globally according to the World Bank.
Bangladesh’s interim government has ordered mandatory deployment of solar systems on public building rooftops to reduce reliance on costly fossil fuel imports amid a fragile economic backdrop.
The Energy Progress Report 2025 shows an improvement in global electricity access to 92%, but highlights that 666 million people remain without electricity, particularly due to insufficient international funding for rural areas.
Estimated at $384.4mn in 2025, the global photovoltaic panel recycling market is expected to grow annually by 7.4%, reaching $548mn in 2030, driven by the rapidly increasing number of installations reaching end-of-life.
Estimated at $613.57bn in 2025, the global photovoltaic market is expected to reach $968.32bn by 2030, driven by declining costs and growing demand from residential and utility sectors, according to a MarketsandMarkets analysis published on June 26.
Sasol International Chemicals concludes a virtual contract with Akuo to supply half of the electrical needs for its Lake Charles industrial complex in the United States, via a solar plant scheduled for 2026.
Eurowind Energy initiates a €174.8mn investment to build a 220 MW solar park in Vișina, Romania, capable of supplying around 150,000 households annually.
CleanCapital expands its portfolio by acquiring solar and energy storage assets totaling 27 MW in California and Massachusetts from Pacifico Energy to meet growing demand in the United States.
BrightNight and Cordelio Power commission a major 300 megawatt solar project in Arizona, attracting significant investments from JPMorgan and Capital One, with estimated local economic benefits of $180mn.
Austria is launching an unprecedented 20% bonus on photovoltaic subsidies to promote equipment manufactured in Europe, with a total envelope of €20 million dedicated to solar installations and energy storage systems.
Chinese manufacturer Longi will invest alongside Pertamina NRE in a 1.6 GW site at Deltamas, aiming to strengthen the local photovoltaic chain and capture demand expected under Indonesia’s power plan.
OMV Petrom acquires 50% of the 400 MW Gabare photovoltaic project near Sofia, in partnership with Enery, in a deal valued at approximately €200 million including a potential energy storage solution.
Driven by strong solar adoption, the global SCADA systems market for renewable energy is expected to reach $3.56bn by 2030, with an estimated average annual growth rate of 12.7%, according to MarketsandMarkets.
RATP and Urbasolar officially inaugurated the Colombier photovoltaic power plant, the first large-scale solar installation operated by the Parisian public transport operator, set to produce 14 GWh of electricity per year.
Danish developer European Energy finalises financing deal exceeding €70m for constructing two Australian solar plants, totalling 137 megawatts of installed capacity on the local electricity market.
The African Development Bank financially supports Zambia with $26.5 million for the 32 MW Ilute solar project, structured to avoid reliance on sovereign guarantees.
Emeren Group Ltd announces a definitive merger agreement with Shurya Vitra Ltd, providing for the repurchase of shares at $0.20 each, aiming to transform the company into a private entity by the end of September 2025.
The global solar tracker market is expected to reach $29.31bn by 2030, driven by a compound annual growth rate of 26.2%, notably supported by large-scale photovoltaic projects and recent technological advances, a new study reports.