26 Nov, 2020 @ 13:39
2 mins read

EXCLUSIVE: ‘Destructive’ electricity pylons will NOT be built in stunning Alpujarra valley in Spain’s Granada thanks to grass roots movement and Olive Press campaign

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GREEN campaigners are rejoicing after plans to erect over 100 giant pylons were effectively sparked out this week in Andalucia. 

In a shock win, they thanked the Olive Press for its year-long campaign to stop the ‘motorway of power lines’ through two iconic Granada valleys.

Our Fight the Power campaign, launched in March 2019, strongly opposed the long lines of pylons and a giant electricity substation in the Alpujarra and Lecrin Valley.

Olive Press Pylons
SPLASH: The Olive Press dedicated a whole front page to the issue after roping in celeb expats Christ Stewart and Dr Robert of the Blow Monkeys

We were joined by celebrated writer Chris Stewart and pop star Dr Robert of the Blow Monkeys to oppose the ‘crazy abomination’.

The battle had erupted when locals unearthed energy giant Red Electrica’s state-funded plan to erect the 80m high structures, mostly on private land. 

In the case of British expat Steve Holdup, 63, the REE scheme would have seen a pylon going up in his back garden.

Ironically, the tower and service road would have been installed right in the middle of the retired teacher’s own solar panel project.

CAMPAIGN: The Olive Press printed several stories as part of its Fight the Power campaign, applying pressure on the Junta

Grassroots movement Di No a Los Torres (Say No to the Towers) was quick to argue the high voltage towers would have a ‘devastating effect’ on tourism, agriculture and health.

After probing the shady interests behind the project, we managed to get the story printed in the national newspapers in the UK. 

Robert Howard, singer of the Blow Monkeys, who has a home in the Lecrin Valley, described the scheme as ‘ravaging’ for the region saying it would ‘have devastating consequences environmentally and economically’.

FIGHTERS: The Di No a Los Torres movement has been protesting the pylon plans from day one

Driving Over Lemons writer Chris Stewart added it was ‘heedless destruction’ and showed private interests ‘riding roughshod over the will and rights of the people’.

Now the Junta has effectively ruled that REE cannot build its second substation which would connect the long lines of pylons across the region. 

A subsequent appeal by the electrical giant has also been rejected, according to campaigners this week.

“It’s great news,” Teresa McKeon told the Olive Press. “Thank you so much for all your articles and the campaign you launched.

“We continue to work behind the scenes to try to safeguard the natural beauty of our landscape from this and other threats.”

McKeon explained that REE’s megaproject included two lines crossing the valley.  

OUT IN FORCE: Expats and locals marched in protest against pylons

The first had been published in the BOJA in November 2017 and was subsequently approved by the Junta before locals were able to raise public awareness and fight it.

“Technically this line can still be constructed,” she explained, “However, there is no substation to connect to.

“So we continue to question the legality of a proposal which included a ‘fictitious’ substation, and of the Junta’s approval of such a project.”

Olive Press publisher Jon Clarke said last night: “This is amazing news and a great win for the environment. 

“I’m proud that the Olive Press has been able to help achieve this victory, showing that the press still has relevance and can put pen to power. This is what a genuine people’s paper does.” 

Chris Stewart 3
CELEB SUPPORT: Driving Over Lemons author Christ Steward supported the OP campaign to protect the Alpujarras

It comes after REE reportedly ignored prohibition orders slapped down by town halls in Orgiva and Lanjaron which were designed to prevent work starting back in July last year. 

Councillors had issued the bans over ‘environmental fears’, but REE sent in diggers and dump trucks regardless, to begin preliminary groundwork.

Now, for the time being at least, the electrical giant will have to find somewhere else for its electrical pylons. 

Laurence Dollimore

Laurence Dollimore is a Spanish-speaking, NCTJ-trained journalist with almost a decade’s worth of experience.
The London native has a BA in International Relations from the University of Leeds and and an MA in the same subject from Queen Mary University London.
He earned his gold star diploma in multimedia journalism at the prestigious News Associates in London in 2016, before immediately joining the Olive Press at their offices on the Costa del Sol.
After a five-year stint, Laurence returned to the UK to work as a senior reporter at the Mail Online, where he remained for two years before coming back to the Olive Press as Digital Editor in 2023.
He continues to work for the biggest newspapers in the UK, who hire him to investigate and report on stories in Spain.
These include the Daily Mail, Telegraph, Mail Online, Mail on Sunday and The Sun and Sun Online.
He has broken world exclusives on everything from the Madeleine McCann case to the anti-tourism movement in Tenerife.

GOT A STORY? Contact newsdesk@theolivepress.es or call +34 951 273 575 Twitter: @olivepress

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