Spain's Solaer secures Colombia's declaration of public interest for solar projects

Spanish developer Grupo Solaer has secured the so-called declaration of public and social interest from the Colombian ministry of mines and energy over several pieces of property it needs to build five 19.5-MW solar farms.

The declaration means that Solaer, operating in Colombia under the brand Solargreen, gets the preferential right to acquire or use the land through easements for the projects, or expropriate the property if negotiations with landowners fail.

In August, the energy ministry issued five declarations of public and social interest corresponding to Solaer’s projects Bosques Solares de Bolivar 500, 501, 502, 503 and 504. In these five resolutions, the ministry notes that the land that Solaer is seeking does not stand in the way of requests made by indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities, nor is the subject of restitution claims.

The Spanish firm is eyeing five pieces of land ranging from around 26 hectares (64.2 acres) to 31 hectares. All five are located in the municipality of Sabanalarga in the department of Atlantico, according to the ministry’s resolutions.

In Colombia, electricity generation, transmission and distribution are considered essential public services. In Solaer’s case, generating power from solar prevails over particular interests of landowners.

Declarations of public interests can also be issued for health infrastructure projects, education, security and other types of socially important developments.

Choose your newsletter by Renewables Now. Join for free!