An Alcudia residents association has responded to a new environmental impact study for the second electricity cable from the mainland by describing the project for the entry point as an "environmental and territorial absurdity".
ANACA is the association for a new agreement regarding the cable's route. It was formed in the summer after what was described as a consensus had been reached for the land route from the Bay of Pollensa to the substation on Alcudia's industrial estate. Members of this association hadn't been affected by previous proposals; they now were affected by the consensus agreement.
The association argues that the decision to bring the cable in at Sa Ferradura (Bonaire) is based on "outdated maps". These relate to the 2006 LIFE Posidonia project and are therefore almost 20 years old. The association also notes that the agreed route has increased the cost from €476.5 million to €675.6 million and has increased the number of affected property owners from 47 to 68.
Red Eléctrica, Spain's energy operator, has generally avoided being drawn into public debate about the route, but on this occasion it has taken exception to what ANACA has had to say. "Claims have been made that are categorically false and which call into question the professionalism of this company, which adheres to the highest technical and environmental quality standards." The company says it invested approximately €10 million in its own mapping and detailed preliminary studies before deciding that the cable would arrive at Sa Ferradura.
"Fourteen alternatives in Mallorca were studied based on specific marine surveys, not on pre-existing maps; the analysis of these 14 alternatives shows that landing at Sa Ferradura has the least impact on Posidonia seagrass."
An alternative marine route proposed by ANACA would see the cable arrive in the Bay of Alcudia; not at the port, which is an alternative many have argued in favour of, but at the boundary between Puerto Alcudia and Playa de Muro. (The green route in the accompanying image shows this.) An argument in support of this is that it would entail a far shorter land route to the industrial estate. However, this is a commercial and residential area where the cable would have to be laid right by properties. In addition, Red Eléctrica points out that it would involve "paleochannels with sediments whose movement compromises the integrity of the installation".
As to the increased cost, Red Eléctrica argues this is due to "a significantly strained market situation, and not to the new land route".
The energy operator's statement follows one earlier in October by Alcudia Town Hall, which denounced ANACA to the Guardia Civil because of accusations that were "totally false". They lacked foundation and constituted "a direct attack on the honour and image of the town hall".