News

21 February 2019

First debates on renewable energies after the approval of the new Balearic law on Climate Change

On 20 February 2019 two events of the WinWind project were held in Palma de Mallorca. Both addressed the future of renewable energies in the Balearic Islands following the recent approval of the Law on Climate Change and Energy Transition. Organised by Ecorys as coordinators of the Spanish Stakeholder Desk, the events took place at the headquarters of the Balearic Government.

 

Ferrán Rosa, General Director of Energy and Climate Change of the Balearic Government, introduced both sessions presenting the central provisions and goals of the new Law. The first event consisted of a thematic workshop, focusing on the impact of this Law on the tourism sector, the main economic activity of the region. As speakers, Josep Lluís Pons Hinojosa (General Director of Innovation and Research of the Balearic Government), José Manuel Gómez (Head of Territorial Planning of the Consell de Mallorca) and Eduardo Maynau (Red Eléctrica de España) presented their opinions on how the tourism sector would be affected by wind energy in the future.

 

In the afternoon, the second event consisted of a policy roundtable in which representatives of six Balearic parliamentary groups discussed the future of renewable energies in light of the aforementioned Law. With Carlos Bravo (Aliança Mar Blava) as moderator, the politicians who participated in the debate were Santiago Tadeo (Popular Party), Silvia Limones (PSOE), Carlos Saura (Podemos), Miquel Gallardo (Més per Mallorca), Patricia Font (Més per Menorca) and Joana Xamena (El Pi). Despite the political differences, the six agreed on the importance of this law and the need to continue advancing in the fight against climate change.

 

The events were attended by a large group of representatives of the energy sector, hotel chains, a consumer association, environmental groups and individuals interested in these issues. Most attendees took the opportunity to convey their questions and comments to the speakers, giving rise to an enriching exchange of ideas.