Villalba del Rey is a municipality nestled in the northern part of the province of Cuenca, Spain, within the region of La Alcarria, renowned for its honey and immortalized by Nobel Prize winner Camilo José Cela in his personal travel book (“Journey to the Alcarria”, 1948). In the early sixties of the last century, the village thrived with nearly two thousand inhabitants, coinciding with the construction of the Buendía reservoir fed by the Guadiela river. However, today, the population has dwindled to a mere 500 residents. It serves as a poignant example of what is known as “empty” or “emptied” Spain, and also reflects the Spain that aspires to overcome this state.
This backdrop sets the stage for Mayor Antonio Luengo's conviction that “the advancement of the olive cooperative could potentially be the sole pathway for the town to reshape its future, for farmers to witness enhanced incomes, and for residents to choose to remain in the community.”
With a third of the municipality dedicated to olive groves, oil production is one of the most traditional activities in an eminently agricultural town. Created 65 years ago, the Cooperativa Santos Sebastián e Isidro was for many years oriented to the self-consumption of its members–to produce oil “for home”–until the loss of population forced it to go out to the market.
"We felt a bit adrift since we're not experts; we're farmers with limited knowledge of marketing. We undertook tasks with immense dedication, but the lack of expertise was evident. Merely following in my father's footsteps isn't sufficient, given the evolving landscape," confesses Pedro Romero, president of the cooperative. Mayor Luengo emphatically underscores, “We were teetering on the edge of vanishing.”
Hence, when ACCIONA Energía sought input on which initiative to fund for enhancing the quality of life in towns hosting its renewable facilities, Villalba's villagers readily embraced the opportunity. Previous socioeconomic analyses had already pinpointed the oil cooperative's potential as a catalyst for local economic development.
The subsequent step involved engaging experts to strengthen the project's foundation. The specialized consulting firm Agrovidar Soluciones Agroambientales crafted a strategic plan to transform the cooperative into a professional, profitable, and environmentally sustainable entity, preserving its traditional strengths while propelling it into the future.
“After analyzing the situation,” explains Pablo Ortigueira, an olive growing expert and consultant, “we initiated farmer training on topics like pruning and phytosanitary management, coupled with ongoing technical oversight. After a year of concerted effort, we are demonstrating to farmers that adopting a different approach can result in enhanced productivity and income.”
Ortigueira highlights the personal commitment of everyone involved: “I see the farmers happy, very proactive, eager to continue. We offer them quality technical support, ensuring they feel supported in their goal of producing differentiated, high-quality oil—an achievement that will not only enhance agricultural income but also improve the lifestyle of Villalba del Rey's citizens.”
Carlos Budia, a farmer and cooperative member, emphasizes, “If it were not for ACCIONA, we in the cooperative could not afford the luxury of having a technician and advice like the one they are giving us.”
ACCIONA Energía boasts several renewable energy facilities in the Villalba del Rey area, collectively generating 161 megawatts of power—an amount capable of supplying clean energy equivalent to the consumption of approximately 70,000 homes.
The operational Bolarque photovoltaic plant (50 MWp) and the Peralejo (26 MW) and Escepar (36 MW) wind farms play pivotal roles in this energy landscape. Additionally, the company has strategic plans for two hybrid photovoltaic plants, contributing an extra 49 MWp of power. These hybrid plants share connection points and infrastructures with the existing wind farms. Notably, the Escepar photovoltaic plant commenced operations in January 2024.
ACCIONA Energía, in keeping with its commitment to responsible practices, has implemented its Social Impact Management program in the area. This initiative entails a voluntary commitment to reinvest a percentage of the investment and income generated by its renewable energy facilities into projects aimed at enhancing the local quality of life. These contributions are made in addition to the legally mandated fees and taxes.
The selection of these initiatives follows comprehensive socio-economic studies and consultation with the community, emphasizing an ongoing and open dialogue. ACCIONA Energía strives to be an active and integral part of the community, fostering enduring relationships and promoting mutual well-being.
In Queensland, Australia, construction is underway of one of the largest wind farms in the Southern Hemisphere and ACCIONA’s largest wind farm globally. Protecting native flora and fauna is a fundamental activity of this project. Read more to find out how.
