In southern Spain, olive farmers in Andalusia are protesting the rise of large-scale solar farms that risk uprooting ancient olive groves, some of which have stood for centuries. Regions like Jaén and Córdoba, world-renowned for olive oil production, face the potential loss of around 100,000 olive trees due to government-backed solar initiatives. Authorities have labeled these renewable energy projects as serving the public good, enabling them to seize farmland despite the cultural and economic importance of olive cultivation in the region.
In response, grassroots groups such as Plataforma Campiña Norte STOP megaplantas solares are calling for more sustainable and respectful solutions. Research from the University of Córdoba supports a compromise: agrivoltaic systems that allow solar panels and olive trees to coexist. This model offers a way to fight climate change through clean energy while protecting Andalusia’s centuries-old agricultural heritage. More