Puerto del Rosario rejects Naturgy and DISA appeals: over €2.7M in rural-land fees for their energy installations
1. Key points
Confirmed total: over €2.7 million (€1,103,872.65 Naturgy + €1,683,025.59 DISA).
The fee applies to both Naturgy's wind farm and DISA's Mezque emergency plant (14.8 MW).
The special authorisation under art. 6 bis of Law 11/1997 expedites procedures but does not waive payment.
The exemption only applies to works directly promoted by Public Administrations.
The resolutions are grounded in art. 38 of Law 4/2017 on Land and Protected Natural Areas of the Canary Islands.
2. The news in detail
Puerto del Rosario Town Hall has rejected the appeals filed by energy companies NATURGY RENOVABLES S.L.U. and DISA GENERACIÓN S.L.U., upholding the full legality of the assessments for the rural land-use fee for a total amount exceeding €2.7 million. The confirmed amounts are €1,103,872.65 for Naturgy and €1,683,025.59 for DISA.
Both companies argued that their projects, authorised through the special procedure under article 6 bis of the Canary Electricity Sector Act, were not subject to the fee. DISA further invoked the cover of the “14.8 MW Mezque Emergency Generation Plant” within the energy emergency declaration of the Canary Islands Government. The municipal resolutions clarify that this exceptional procedure speeds up authorisations but does not waive compliance with the financial obligations established by planning legislation.
The grounds for dismissal centre on four key points: (1) the taxable event has occurred because the wind farm and the generation plant constitute private use of rural land (art. 38 Law 4/2017); (2) the special authorisation is an enabling title equivalent to a municipal licence and triggers the fee; (3) the exemption only applies to works directly promoted by Public Administrations, while here the promoters are private profit-seeking entities; (4) there are no grounds for nullity because the assessments were issued by competent bodies following the legal procedure.
3. Voices and statements
“Our commitment is to responsible and fair management of resources that belong to everyone. Any entity carrying out a profit-making activity in our territory must contribute equitably. This fee is not an arbitrary measure but a legal mechanism that ensures private use of our rural land flows back into improved public services for our residents.”
— David de Vera, Mayor of Puerto del Rosario
“These resolutions are backed by impeccable technical and legal reports that rigorously apply the Canary Islands Land Act. The rule is clear: the special regional authorisation is an enabling title equivalent to a municipal licence and therefore triggers the fee. We cannot confuse the 'general interest' of an activity with a 'public promotion'.”
— Juan Manuel Verdugo, Councillor for Economy and Treasury
4. Context and background
The resolutions were signed by Puerto del Rosario Town Hall in May 2026. The affected facilities are the NATURGY RENOVABLES S.L.U. wind farm and DISA GENERACIÓN S.L.U.'s 14.8 MW «Planta Mezque» Emergency Generation Plant, both located on rural land in the municipality. The resolutions are grounded in art. 38 of Law 4/2017 on Land and Protected Natural Areas of the Canary Islands and art. 6 bis of Law 11/1997 on the Canary Electricity Sector. The companies can still appeal through the contentious-administrative route.
5. What it means for Fuerteventura
The decision touches a sensitive issue: the balance between energy transition and fiscal contribution to the territory. Fuerteventura is one of Spain's islands most exposed to renewable-energy projects thanks to constant wind and large rural areas. Upholding the fee means that part of the value generated by energy companies will flow back into municipal services and infrastructure — the same ones that improve the experience of residents and visitors, including roads leading to the beaches of Fuerteventura and to the island trails.
6. Official sources and contacts
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