Aixeindar Advances Construction of the Labraza Wind Farm With Citizen Crowdlending and €59 Million Investment

Oiz wind farm, in the Basque Country

(IN BRIEF) Aixeindar, the joint venture between Iberdrola España and the Basque Energy Agency, is advancing construction of the 40 MW Labraza wind farm in Oion, Álava, which will be the first new wind farm commissioned in the Basque Country since 2006 and represents a €59 million investment in the regional renewable energy sector. The project is pioneering citizen participation through a crowdlending model aimed initially at residents of Oion and Rioja Alavesa, offering local communities both financial returns and a special energy tariff once operational. The wind farm will use innovative Blade Lifter technology to reduce environmental impact during transport, connect to the existing REE grid in Laguardia, and increase Basque wind capacity by 26%, producing enough green electricity for 30,000 homes while avoiding 16,300 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually. In addition to its environmental benefits, the project is expected to create up to 90 local construction jobs, generate significant municipal revenues, and incorporate advanced biodiversity protection measures, aligning with the Basque Country’s 2030 energy and climate objectives.

(PRESS RELEASE) BILBAO, 5-Feb-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Aixeindar, the joint venture established by Iberdrola España and the Basque Government’s Basque Energy Agency (EVE), is advancing the construction of the Labraza wind farm in the Álava municipality of Oion, marking a major milestone for renewable energy development in the Basque Country. The project, which is already underway, will be the first new wind farm commissioned in the region since 2006 and represents a significant boost for the local wind industry supply chain, a sector in which the Basque Country holds a leading position nationally.

The Labraza wind farm stands out as the first in the Basque Country to incorporate citizen participation through a crowdlending model. This form of collective financing allows local residents to invest directly in the project and receive returns generated by the wind farm’s operations. In its initial phase, the initiative is targeted specifically at residents of Oion and the Rioja Alavesa area, offering them an opportunity to take part in the energy transition while benefiting financially from the renewable infrastructure.

Through this model, the wind farm will generate social and economic value for the local community, enabling citizens to become stakeholders in the project while contributing to a more sustainable energy system. Additionally, once operational, the municipalities of Labraza and Barriobusto will benefit from a special energy tariff, further reinforcing the local advantages of the development.

From a technical perspective, the Labraza wind farm will incorporate advanced environmental and logistical solutions. One of the most notable innovations is the use of Blade Lifter technology, which facilitates the transport of turbine blades by adjusting their inclination to minimize the wind sail effect. Using a hydraulic lifting system, blades can be raised to approximately 65 degrees or rotated, allowing them to navigate narrow roads, sharp bends, and even urban areas without requiring major alterations to existing infrastructure. This approach significantly reduces environmental disruption and avoids the need for road modifications.

Construction access will primarily utilize existing routes, including the road from Campezo to Genevilla and pathways associated with the nearby Aguilar de Codés wind farm in Navarra, minimizing additional environmental impact.

With a total investment of €59 million, the Labraza wind farm will have an installed capacity of 40 MW, increasing the Basque Country’s current wind power capacity by 26%, from 155 MW to 193 MW. Once fully operational, it is expected to generate approximately 99,679 MWh of renewable electricity per year, enough to supply around 30,000 households while preventing the emission of approximately 16,300 tonnes of CO₂ annually.

The project will rely entirely on existing grid infrastructure, connecting to the national electricity network (REE) in Laguardia without the need for a new evacuation line. Construction works have been awarded to the Navarra-based company ECAY, the wind turbines will be supplied by Siemens-Gamesa, and the substation expansion will be carried out by the Basque engineering firm EDS.

Beyond its environmental benefits, the wind farm is expected to generate up to 90 local jobs during the construction phase and provide lasting economic advantages for surrounding municipalities. Local authorities will receive an estimated €1.2 million in initial revenues at the start of construction, followed by recurring annual income of around €230,000 through taxes and fees.

The project also integrates a range of biodiversity protection measures, including bird detection systems that can automatically shut down turbines when necessary, landscape restoration initiatives such as a vertical garden installation, natural rock ageing treatments to improve visual integration, and habitat restoration for species of community interest.

The Labraza wind farm is among the first major initiatives undertaken by Aixeindar as part of a broader public-private partnership strategy to accelerate the Basque Country’s energy transition. The project aligns with the region’s 2030 Energy Strategy and the Energy Transition and Climate Change Act, supporting commitments made under the Paris Agreement. The Basque Government, through EVE, plans to continue co-investing in renewable projects that meet strict criteria regarding resource availability, environmental impact, grid connectivity, and economic viability, with the ultimate goal of nearly tripling renewable capacity by 2028.

Media Contact:

CORPORATE COMMUNICATION

Tel: +34 91 577 65 00
comunicacioncorporativa@iberdrola.es

SOURCE: IBERDROLA