## Companies Claim Parc Tramuntana Wind Farm Will Power the Costa Brava-But Controversy Grows
The Parc Tramuntana wind farm, a proposed floating offshore project off Catalonia’s Costa Brava, has become the region’s most advanced and debated renewable energy initiative. Backed by companies BlueFloat Energy and SENER, the project aims to address Catalonia’s urgent need to ramp up renewable energy production, but it faces mounting opposition from local communities, scientists, and environmentalists.
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### Project Overview and Company Claims
- **Scale and Location:** Parc Tramuntana is planned for the Gulf of Roses, about 14 to 24 kilometers off the Costa Brava coast. It will consist of 33 floating wind turbines, with a total capacity of 495–500 MW[3][5].
- **Energy Impact:** Promoters claim the wind farm could supply up to 45% of Girona province’s electricity demand and as much as 90% of the area’s needs, helping Catalonia meet its climate targets and reduce reliance on fossil fuels[2][4][5].
- **Economic Benefits:** The companies project the creation of around 6,000 direct jobs during construction and highlight potential for local economic revitalization, including port upgrades and new green industry[2][4].
- **Environmental Goals:** Backers argue the project will cut millions of tons of CO₂ emissions, help recover marine ecosystems, and set a precedent for sustainable offshore wind in the Mediterranean[1][2][5].
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### Local and Scientific Opposition
Despite these claims, Parc Tramuntana has sparked fierce resistance:
- **Environmental Concerns:** Scientists warn of “serious environmental risks” to the seabed, marine biodiversity, and protected areas. The Gulf of Roses is adjacent to multiple marine reserves and Natura 2000 sites, home to endangered species and vital habitats[6][9][10].
- **Visual and Landscape Impact:** Locals are alarmed by the visual scale-turbines as tall as 80 Eiffel Towers and an area equivalent to 25,000 football fields[4]. Many fear this will damage the Costa Brava’s iconic seascape and tourism appeal.
- **Economic and Social Repercussions:** Critics argue the wind farm could harm fishing, a key local industry, and disrupt established tourism, with uncertain compensation for affected businesses[4][9].
- **Legal and Regulatory Scrutiny:** The EU and Spanish authorities insist that even if the wind farm is outside protected zones, its impact must be rigorously assessed due to proximity to sensitive areas. Projects may proceed only if overriding public interest is demonstrated and legal requirements are met[8].
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### Scientific Recommendations
A major study by Spanish and Catalan scientists recommends excluding large offshore wind farms from areas of high biodiversity and ecological fragility, such as the Gulf of Roses. They caution that models from the North Sea cannot be directly applied to the Mediterranean, given its unique marine and coastal characteristics[6].
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### The Path Forward
As Catalonia lags behind in renewable energy targets-producing only 13–20% of its electricity from renewables in recent years-authorities see Parc Tramuntana as a potential solution[4][5]. However, the project’s fate remains uncertain amid ongoing environmental assessments, legal reviews, and a heated public debate.
**In summary:**
Companies behind Parc Tramuntana tout it as a transformative green energy project for the Costa Brava, promising significant climate and economic benefits. However, strong opposition from scientists and locals highlights unresolved questions about its environmental, social, and economic impacts, making it a focal point in Catalonia’s renewable energy transition.
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