In a decisive step toward modernizing Spain’s energy infrastructure, the Murcia region has enacted Decree-Law 1/2025 on Administrative Simplification, paving the way for more agile deployment of battery energy storage systems (BESS), both standalone and co-located with solar power plants. This legal reform marks a significant turning point for commercial and industrial energy storage (C&I ESS) in the region, offering clearer pathways for project developers and investors alike.
Energy Storage Gains “Infrastructure” Status
One of the most impactful changes introduced by the decree is the reclassification of energy storage sites. Under Article 6.14, energy storage is now recognized as energy infrastructure rather than industrial infrastructure under Murcia’s Land Law. This distinction is critical. It means that battery systems—often hindered by land-use restrictions—can now be installed on rural land previously off-limits to industrial developments.
This regulatory shift addresses a common bottleneck across Europe: the misalignment between land use policies and the spatial needs of the energy transition. By adapting land legislation to the realities of renewable integration, Murcia is creating fertile ground for accelerating the rollout of both grid-scale and behind-the-meter storage systems.
Smoother Permitting for Solar-Linked Storage
The decree also streamlines the environmental permitting process for battery systems associated with solar photovoltaic (PV) projects. If the storage facility falls within the footprint of an approved or currently permitting solar site—and if it either has an existing Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) or is exempt under EIA Law 21/2013—it can bypass lengthy approval chains. Only two entities—the local city council and the General Directorate of Citizen Security and Emergencies—will be required to issue reports.
This simplification reduces the bureaucratic burden for hybrid solar-storage projects, which are central to maximizing renewable energy self-consumption, enhancing grid stability, and improving investment returns.
Moreover, the national EIA law is expected to be updated to harmonize with this new permitting approach, potentially setting a legislative precedent for other Spanish regions.
“Positive Silence”: A Quiet Revolution in Permitting
Perhaps the most innovative clause lies in Article 15: the introduction of the “positive silence” principle. In essence, if no objections are formally raised within the set timeframe, energy storage projects will be automatically considered approved.
This principle offers legal certainty and speeds up project timelines—two key factors that have long been hurdles for developers of commercial and industrial ESS projects across Europe. It sends a strong signal to the market: Murcia is ready to support clean energy deployment with action, not just rhetoric.
Broader Implications for Spain and Beyond
Murcia’s regulatory reform may seem localized, but its ripple effects could be far-reaching. Spain’s grid is rapidly evolving to accommodate higher shares of renewable energy, and flexible storage capacity is critical to managing variability and ensuring reliability. By proactively clearing legislative roadblocks, Murcia is not only aligning with national climate goals but also creating a blueprint that other autonomous communities can follow.
For European stakeholders—from project developers and EPCs to investors and policymakers—Murcia’s move underscores the importance of regional-level action in scaling battery energy storage systems. It also highlights how targeted legal reforms can unlock new business models, from community storage to industrial peak-shaving applications.
As the EU races toward its 2030 renewable energy targets, agile permitting, rural land access, and hybrid solar-storage development will become non-negotiable. Murcia’s Decree-Law 1/2025 might just be the quiet policy breakthrough the sector has been waiting for.
