Copyright majorcadailybulletin
Pollensa residents opposed to the development of a battery plant on rustic land describe the project as "totally unacceptable" and are critical of the lack of transparency surrounding the plans. Residents, like the town hall, only found out about the plant after information was published in the Official Bulletin on October 2. Occupying a 3,000 square metre plot, the developer, Atlántica Energía Sostenible España, plans 16 containers with lithium batteries. Each container weighs 35 tonnes. Among the residents' main arguments is the proximity of the plant to homes. It is reckoned the distance could be as little as five metres. They point to a loss of land for agricultural purposes and to the risk of fires, pollution, and accidents. "These facilities have no place next to inhabited or agricultural areas." Electromagnetic fields, noise and light pollution could have potentially negative effects on people's health and on wildlife. "Electromagnetic fields have been linked to serious illnesses, and noise and lights would affect the animals' rest and behaviour." Another point of great concern is the closeness of the Sant Jordi Torrent, just 80 metres away and an area with a high risk of flooding. This is in fact recognised in the project's environmental report. Residents fear that any spill or fire could have "irreversible" consequences on the natural environment.
