In La Jara, an arable farming area on the left bank of the Río Grande in the municipal area of Coín (Málaga), the dispute over several large-scale photovoltaic projects is escalating. Despite ongoing legal proceedings, local media report that earthworks continued in July and August 2026. Associations and neighbourhood groups accuse the operators of failing to comply with conditions during the breeding season for steppe birds and birds of prey.
The latest legal dispute was triggered by the declaration of public utility for individual projects, published in the Boletín Oficial del Estado. This designation makes it easier to access land, including through expropriation. Affected groups such as Valle Natural Río Grande are challenging the decision in court and seeking a suspension of the work. They point to the importance of open farmland for species such as Montagu’s harriers, and to the value of the historic cultural landscape at the foot of the Sierra de las Nieves.
Coín town council has taken a critical stance towards the projects. At the same time, according to press reports, the mayor says the project companies have signed leases with the vast majority of landowners. Local reports say the projects cover more than 400 hectares in the La Jara area combined. The Junta de Andalucía is involved in certain aspects in its capacity as the permitting authority.
An assessment prepared in November 2024 by the Universidad de Málaga warns of significant landscape and ecological impacts on the edge of Sierra de las Nieves National Park. It says breeding and migration routes could be affected and open farmland fragmented. Environmental groups documented excavation and levelling work in summer 2026 and consider it to be in breach of environmental protection conditions. According to reports so far, the operators have either not publicly responded to these accusations or have responded only in general terms, citing the permits issued by the authorities.
It remains unclear which legal steps will have a concrete effect. The claimants say they have filed lawsuits; hearing dates and possible interim rulings by the competent courts are still pending. If a suspension is ordered, work would have to stop in the affected areas. If, on the other hand, the courts uphold the declaration of public utility, this would strengthen the developers’ legal position in acquiring land.
The dispute highlights the difficult balance between rapidly expanding renewable energy and protecting established agricultural landscapes and sensitive natural areas. Decisions in the La Jara case could set a precedent for other projects in Andalusia.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).