Las Tadeas Wind Farm
Las Tadeas Wind Farm is located in the province of Palencia, within the Castile and Leon region, in the northwest of Spain. Developed by Capital Energy as its first wind facility in the region, the project serves as a key component of the region’s renewable energy infrastructure, contributing to the prevention of over 55,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.
The facility consists of 11 Siemens Gamesa SG 132 wind turbines with a total installed capacity of 39 megawatts (MW). Commissioned in 2020 and officially inaugurated in June 2021, the project involved an investment of approximately €40 million. The project was developed by Actividades de Construccion y Servicios and is currently owned by Capital Energy SLU with a stake of 100%. Both are contracted to render operations and maintenance services for the project.
The wind farm produces roughly 138,000 MWh of clean energy per year, equivalent to the consumption of 52,000 households in the region. During construction, the project created 220 jobs, and it currently maintains 10 permanent positions for local professionals. Key stakeholders include the municipalities of Paredes de Nava and Cardeñosa de Volpejera, whose residents and local businesses benefit from the project’s fiscal and infrastructural contributions.
In fact, the project provides a significant recurring economic impact on the local community, with an annual economic impact on regional and local coffers (IBI property tax and IAE tax on economic activities) of more than 330,000 euros. The local community also experienced an immediate benefit from a one-off tax payment of 850,000 euros. This sum, generated during the construction phase as a building tax (ICIO), was directly allocated to community projects, such as the development of a new Performing Arts Center in Paredes de Nava. Additionally, the initiative funded the restoration of 13 kilometers of historic footpaths and cycling routes, which had previously deteriorated. These improvements, including the scenic trail between the hermitages of Señora de Carejas and Becerril de Campos, support local traditions and heritage tourism.
Environmental protection is integrated into the farm’s daily operations, particularly given its proximity to the La Nava Lagoon, a protected wetland and vital habitat for migratory birds. To mitigate collision risks, the turbines are equipped with a 360-degree camera surveillance system. This technology detects bird movement and emits deterrent sounds; if a bird continues its flight path toward the turbines, the blades automatically stop. This system resulted in zero collisions in 2024. The project also supports local biodiversity by installing nest boxes for birds of prey to help control vole populations on farmland and creating "insect hotels" to support pollinators.
This project demonstrates how the integration of nature-positive strategies and local value generation ensures that renewable infrastructure not only respects the integrity of the territory’s biodiversity but also delivers tangible, long-term gains through effective benefit-sharing mechanisms.
Sources:
AEE (Asociación Empresial Eólica). (2025, 21 July). Wind Power Neighbours, an overview of 10 Spanish municipalities. pp. 57-67. https://vecinoseolicos.aeeolica.org/wp-content/uploads/AF-Wind-Power-Neighbours-AEE.pdf
Capital Energy. Las Tadeas. https://capitalenergy.com/en/our-projects/las-tadeas
Capital Energy, communications rooms. (2021,18 June). Capital Energy opens its first wind farm, Las Tadeas, with 39 MW, in Palencia. https://capitalenergy.com/en/communications-room/capital-energy-first-wind-farm-las-tadeas-39-mw-in-palencia
Capital Energy. (2022, 17 May). Capital Energy signs the first agreement in Castile and Leon linked to its Territories Project. https://capitalenergy.com/en/communications-room/capital-energy-signs-the-first-agreement-in-castile-and-leon-linked-to-its-territories-project
Power Technology. (2024, 21 October). Power plant profile: Las Tadeas Wind Farm, Spain. https://www.power-technology.com/marketdata/power-plant-profile-las-tadeas-wind-farm-spain/
