The GWO participates in the Oia conferences organized by the local movement in defense of Serra da Groba

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On 9 September, a representative from GWO (Galician Wind Observatory) took part in a significant event titled “Wind Energy in Galicia: Present and Future.” This event was organized by Turonio, the Platform for the Defense of the Territory, Val Miñor, and Baixo Miño.

The gathering was held at the CMVMC venue building (Oia), which has been transformed into an eco-friendly, self-sustaining structure following bioclimatic principles. Xavier Simón, representing GWO, delivered a speech highlighting the economic impact of wind energy. He emphasized the urgent need for a change in approach, moving away from the current model that generates limited indirect benefits for the local population. Instead, Simón proposed a model where municipalities, the Galician government, and, above all, the small and medium-sized business sector, along with the general public, become the central players in renewable development. According to the speaker, this new model does not require profound regulatory changes but rather a political will to invest in it. Simón also shared that the GWO is actively promoting the first community wind park in Galicia, and highlighted that the GWO’s new work period, with the expansion of available resources, has been made possible with increased efforts from supporting foundations that have allowed for a greater concentration of human capital on this mission.

The event also featured contributions from other prominent figures in the field, including Aranza González from the Aire Limpio As Mariña-Mandeo Platform, Torcuato Teixeira from the Platform for the Defense of Fishing and Marine Ecosystems, and Nely Díaz from Ecoloxistas en Acción Galiza Atlántica e Verde. These speakers provided valuable insights into the primary challenges associated with both onshore and offshore wind development. Additionally, representatives from the organizing regions, such as Juan Hermida from the Institute of Miñorán Studies, Bruno Centelles from the Rede Galega Stop Eólicos (Galician Anti-Wind Network), and Xosé Lois Vilar from SOS Groba, underscored the extensive and meticulous work carried out by numerous organizations in Val Miñor and Baixo Miño over the past decades in defense of their territories, especially Serra da Groba and areas related to the Miño and Miñor rivers.

For those interested, all presentations from the event can be viewed on the Institute of Miñorán Studies’ (IEM) YouTube channel.