LOCAL AGREEMENT FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF WIND POWER IN THE PRIORAT

On the basis of the reasons stated in the motion submitted and passed by this council (Consell Comarcal) of the Priorat on 26th March 2001, and taking into account the points made in the said motion, the undersigned – representatives of political groups, mayors of municipalities in the Priorat and representatives of the different groups affiliated to the Plataform for the Priorat (PDPNP) – have agreed upon a united position regarding the implementation of wind power in the Priorat, as expressed in the following points:

1) The Priorat area is currently passing through a crucial time in its history. All the necessary conditions exist for the establishment of a model for development based on the rational use of its resources and on high-quality agriculture and tourism, to ensure balanced development for the whole area.

2) The declaration of the Parc Natural de Montsant is a very important part of this set of conditions which will establish the framework for the future of the Priorat, as set out in different studies and projects drawn up by this council with institutional backing.

3) All these factors mean that overall policy for the development of the Priorat must involve careful management and preservation of its natural, cultural and landscape heritage as an integral part of its resources and potential.

Therefore, and in view of the fact that

1) The Priorat area already makes its contribution to electricity generation from wind power with the largest wind farm in Catalonia, and can accommodate a maximum of two more wind farms with a maximum of 50 turbines on its territory.

2) It is the desire of all to reach a consensus to safeguard, legitimise and guarantee the unitary, binding nature of the agreements reached.

WE AGREE:

To give approval for the construction of only two wind farms, in the municipalities of Cabassers – La Bisbal (in the Junquet – Gorraptes hills) and Margalef (the project promoted by Tarraco Eòlica at Espadelles, as submitted to the municipal council of Margalef), on the understanding that both the building and operation of these wind farms (and their dismantling, if necessary) offer the utmost guarantees to minimise their impact on their immediate surroundings and the environment, by taking the corrective measures determined by the environmental impact study, as well as any which might arise from the obligatory environmental impact declaration issued by the authorities.

To set up a Supervisory Commission to ensure that the above agreement is carried out.

To veto any further wind farm project in the Priorat and oppose any projects which might directly affect the area’s interests which must be protected.

FALSET, 1st June 2001