The growth of renewable energy in Spain is also increasing the pressure on the security of the energy infrastructure. The rising value of copper and the expansion of solar plants have made photovoltaic parks a primary target for organized crime groups specializing in stealing conductor materials and technological components.
In 2025 alone, the Spanish Guardia Civil solved the theft of nearly 45 kilometers of copper cable across 12 photovoltaic plants located in different provinces, as part of operation ‘Unipolar’. The investigation led to the dismantling of an itinerant criminal group linked to thefts at various facilities.
This scenario is forcing the renewable sector to evolve toward much more advanced, automated, and predictive protection models. In this context, VIBA Seguridad is strengthening its position as a specialist in intelligent perimeter security for solar farms through solutions based on advanced video analytics, thermal surveillance, and integrated systems.
Solar Farms: Intelligent security for a critical infrastructure
Some of VIBA Seguridad’s projects have been developed in Castilla-La Mancha, one of the regions with the strongest solar growth in Spain and also one of the regions most affected by copper theft in energy infrastructure.
With the aim of reinforcing protection across the entire installation, VIBA Seguridad deployed an integrated perimeter security system based on intelligent video analytics and advanced thermal surveillance. The solution includes thermal cameras capable of detecting intrusions under any environmental condition, including at night or in low visibility, paired with visible-spectrum cameras and PTZ dome cameras with automatic targeting on detected objects.
In addition, the system includes 30 days of recording storage and direct connection to the Alarm Receiving Center (ARC) via multiple communication channels, enabling accelerated video verification and improved response times to any incident.
The deployment has improved early and reliable intrusion detection around the entire park perimeter and significantly reduced false alarms thanks to the combined use of thermal technology and intelligent video analytics.
“Solar plants today require security solutions capable of anticipating threats and acting in real time. We are talking about strategic infrastructures where minimizing reaction times is essential,” explain from VIBA Seguridad.
From traditional video surveillance to predictive security
The sophistication of copper theft gangs is accelerating the technological transformation of the private security sector. Against conventional models, new solutions based on artificial intelligence and advanced analytics allow distinguishing real threats, automating processes, and minimizing false alarms derived from environmental factors or wildlife movement.
According to the company, the full integration of systems enables centralizing all security management from mobile apps, PCs, or unified platforms, facilitating the control of large, remote installations located in isolated environments.
“Security in renewables can no longer be understood solely as surveillance. Today we are talking about connected infrastructures, multi-layer protection, and predictive systems capable of detecting suspicious behaviors before damage occurs,” say representatives from VIBA Seguridad.
Currently, the company develops indoor, outdoor and perimeter video surveillance solutions, anti-intrusion systems, access controls, and AI-based video analytics for strategic sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, public administrations, and especially photovoltaic and renewable plants.
With the continued growth of the energy sector and the rise of crime specialized in solar installations, intelligent security is consolidating as one of the major technological and operational challenges facing renewables in Spain.
