Art in defence of biodiversity

Community

March 2024

A pilot project in Aragón, Spain, aims to show that renewable energy parks can be allies in species conservation and, at the same time, open-air galleries.

In Samper de Calanda, a small town in the Aragón region of Spain, there is a vulnerable species facing serious conservation challenges. They are called merlins, small falcons characteristic of the Iberian Peninsula, which have suffered a significant reduction in their natural habitat over the years. This led to the creation of PrimillArt, a pilot project that combines renewable energy with biodiversity protection and art.

In partnership with the University of Zaragoza (UNIZAR) and the Aragon Centre for Agrifood Research and Technology (CITA), Galp is developing a Renaturalisation Plan for solar parks in the Aragón region. This plan aims to protect and increase local biodiversity, promote the renaturalisation of the ecosystem, regenerate the soil, among other benefits. To date, several bird surveys have been carried out and some of the initiatives have been implemented, including the planting of aromatic and medicinal species (mugwort, thyme and santolina) between the photovoltaic panels and, on a portion of the land, the installation of hotels for pollinating insects and shelter boxes for birds and bats. ‘We did this by building primillares, or shelters, for these birds, which directly support the conservation of the species,’ Carlos Relancio, Galp's director of renewables, tells Energiser.

“We've added a cultural dimension to biodiversity protection and renewables”

One of these pillars is located near the Talento photovoltaic plant and is now an outdoor art exhibition, which has completely transformed a concrete structure into a work of art, perfectly integrated into the landscape. ‘We have added a cultural dimension to biodiversity protection and renewable energy in the “PrimillArt” project,’ explains the Director of Renewables.

This initiative gives invited street artists the opportunity to paint elements that identify local culture and values on the primillares, ensuring better integration of the structure into the landscape. ‘In addition to producing clean energy, our renewable parks are allies in species conservation and also serve as open-air galleries,’ he emphasises.

‘We are promoting the intersection of clean energy with art, science with creativity, and, as we build this bridge between domains that are typically at odds with each other, we are working to engage citizens and raise awareness on the issues of biodiversity and energy transition,’ adds Tiago Villas-Boas. Galp’s financial director for Renewables and New Business explains that the energy company “is present in communities not only as a company, but as a partner and neighbour”. The mission, he stresses, is to convey this philosophy to projects, which should reflect people's real challenges or collective ambitions. ‘When they do so, they cease to be Galp projects and become community projects.’

A challenge for artists

Creating projects that combine themes such as the environment and biodiversity is, for Cláudia Montenegro, a challenge, but also a pleasure. Passionate about these issues, the head of sustainability at Galp's Renewables Unit seeks, in each project, to identify the most vulnerable species and understand how the energy company can act through concrete measures that have a real impact.

Cláudia Montenegro highlights Galp's involvement in defending biodiversity.

In Talento, the inclusion of art as the third cornerstone of this strategy made the programme even more challenging and interesting.

‘The goal was to integrate this building into the landscape through art, with the help of a local artist,’ she explains. Street artist Guillermo Paz responded to the call from the outset, contributing a work that, in his words, ‘reflects the region's landscape and sustainability.’

Andalusian street artist Guillermo Paz travelled to Aragon to leave his mark on a conservation project.

Protecting biodiversity and creating a positive impact on new projects in all the regions where it operates is a concern and a goal for Galp. While ensuring the preservation of natural areas and species throughout the life cycle of its projects, the energy company actively contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by creating renewable energy plants in photovoltaic parks that are fully integrated into the ecosystem.

The “PrimillArt” programme will now be replicated in other Galp photovoltaic parks in Spain, maintaining its mission to protect biodiversity, promote local artists and involve communities.

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