Expats And Locals Protest Massive Electricity Pylon Project In Andalusian Valleys

Expats and locals are up in arms over plans to erect literally hundreds of electricity pylons and power lines across a series of stunningly lovely valleys in the region.

Set south of Grenada in an unspoilt area, Alpujarras and the Lecrin valley were made famous by travel writer and former Genesis drummer Chris Stewart. Residents in the region are furiously angry and are claiming not only the beauty of the region will be ruined by the pylons and wires but the high-level electric current will cause dangerous radiation affecting residents and agriculture as well as local wildlife. Plans for the development include 211 pylons in lines running through the hills and valleys between Almeria’s Benahadux area and El Fargue in Granada.

One local expat resident told reporters the planned pylons aren’t the usual smaller towers seen elsewhere in rural areas, describing them as massive structures which will totally destroy the beauty of the region. Residents are claiming they’d not been given details of the plan until last December, although the energy company, part owned by the Spanish government, had been planning the installation for several years.

An opposition group entitled ‘Di No a Los Torres’, (Say No to the Towers), has now been formed, and is claiming the radiation caused by the pylons and power lines will be devastating for local agriculture, tourism and the health of local residents. The project is now in its public consultation period due to end March 7, allowing very little time for expatriate and local residents to mount protests and possibly legal challenges. Organised protests by local residents are now taking place in the affected areas.