Bustatur Wind Farm 41.6 MW: What It Means for Landowners in Cantabria and Burgos

Key data

Landowners in Las Rozas de Valdearroyo (Cantabria), Arija and Valle de Valdebezana (Burgos) face an expropriation process following the declaration of public utility of the Bustatur wind farm. The General Directorate of Energy Policy and Mines granted this declaration through a resolution of April 16, 2026, published in the BOE on May 2, 2026.

This declaration is not a minor formality: it is the legal instrument that allows Bustatur Energy SL to initiate the forced expropriation of land and the imposition of easements to build and operate a wind farm with 41.6 MW of installed capacity, including all its evacuation infrastructure.

What does this regulation establish?

The resolution grants Bustatur Energy SL the declaration of public utility for the Bustatur wind farm and its evacuation infrastructure. In practical terms, this means:

• Bustatur Energy SL is enabled to initiate the forced expropriation procedure of the land necessary for the project.
• The company can impose easements of passage and other charges on private properties to install electrical evacuation infrastructure.
• Affected owners have the right to be compensated, but cannot block the project once public utility has been declared.

The installation is distributed between two autonomous communities:

This step is one of the most relevant administrative milestones in the lifecycle of a renewable energy project: without the declaration of public utility, the promoter cannot proceed to occupy private land.

Economic and operational impact

For Bustatur Energy SL, this resolution unlocks the project execution phase. The company can now advance in negotiating or imposing expropriations and easements, which allows it to begin construction of the wind farm.

For affected landowners, the impact is direct:

• They will receive formal notifications of the expropriation procedure with valuations of their properties.
• They have the right to submit objections regarding the fair compensation (indemnity) offered to them.
• In case of disagreement with the valuation, they can appeal to the Provincial Expropriation Board and, subsequently, to the administrative court.
• Easements imposed on their properties will be registered in the Property Registry and will limit the future use of the affected land.

From the perspective of the energy sector, a 41.6 MW wind farm represents a relevant contribution to national renewable energy objectives and strengthens generation capacity in northern Spain.

Who does it affect?

• Bustatur Energy SL: Project promoter. Obtains the authorization to expropriate land and execute the wind farm.
• Landowners in Las Rozas de Valdearroyo (Cantabria): Affected by expropriations and possible easements.
• Landowners in Arija (Burgos): Affected by expropriations and possible easements.
• Landowners in Valle de Valdebezana (Burgos): Affected by expropriations and possible easements.
• Local communities and municipalities: Must coordinate with the administrative procedure resulting from the resolution.
• Energy and renewable sector companies: Reference for progress in processing wind projects in northern Spain.

Practical example

A farmer or livestock owner with a property in the municipality of Valle de Valdebezana (Burgos) receives a notification from Bustatur Energy SL informing him that part of his land is included in the layout of the Bustatur wind farm or its evacuation infrastructure.

From that moment on, the owner must:

1. Review the exact area affected and the type of impact (total expropriation, easement of passage, temporary occupation).
2. Analyze the economic valuation proposed by the promoter as fair compensation.
3. Decide whether to accept the fair compensation or challenge it before the Provincial Expropriation Board of Burgos, providing his own expert valuation.

The owner cannot prevent the execution of the project once public utility has been declared, but can defend the economic value of his property and obtain fair compensation. Having specialized legal advice in expropriations from the beginning of the process is key to not losing rights.

What should companies do now?

1. Landowners in the three affected municipalities: Verify whether their properties are included in the scope of the project by consulting the administrative file or contacting the town halls of Las Rozas de Valdearroyo, Arija or Valle de Valdebezana.
2. If you receive an expropriation notice: Do not sign or accept any valuation without first consulting a lawyer specialized in forced expropriations. The promoter's initial fair compensation is usually lower than the actual market value.
3. Review the BOE and the official file: The complete resolution is available at BOE-A-2026-9583. The detailed file with the affected land must be consulted at the General Directorate of Energy Policy and Mines.
4. Bustatur Energy SL: Formally initiate expropriation procedures with individual notifications to each affected owner, respecting the deadlines and guarantees of the Forced Expropriation Law.
5. Renewable energy sector companies: Take note of the progress of this file as a reference for the status of wind project processing in Cantabria and Burgos.