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Iberdrola starts up largest photovoltaic plant in Europe and commissions Portuguese gigabattery

17/8/2022

Close up of solar PV panel Photo: Adobe Stock
The Francisco Pizarro photovoltaic plant will supply more than 334,000 homes and avoid the emission of 150,000 t/y of CO2

Photo: Adobe Stock

Iberdrola has commissioned the Francisco Pizarro photovoltaic plant in Spain. Claimed to be the largest in Europe, comprising nearly 1.5mn photovoltaic modules and with an installed capacity of 590 MW, the photovoltaic plant will supply more than 334,000 homes and avoid the emission of 150,000 t/y of CO2.

In order to guarantee the project’s viability, Iberdrola has signed a number of long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) with companies in different sectors. As a result, it will supply 100% renewable electricity from Francisco Pizarro to Danone, Bayer and PepsiCo to cover the energy needs of their centres in Spain.

 

The Francisco Pizarro photovoltaic plant provides an example of the ‘coexistence of new renewable developments with environmental and cultural heritage’, according to Iberdrola. During its construction, the company undertook to preserve 20 rock formations with rock art, mainly prehistoric, and three archaeological sites dating from the Ancient and Medieval periods.

 

It also took specific steps to improve forest fauna habitats, such as the creation of a controlled reproduction centre for rabbit breeding, the installation of nesting boxes and the establishment of bird feeding protection areas. Iberdrola also participated in the Spanish Ornithological Society’s (SEO) campaign to monitor steppe birds in the Extremadura region, identifying and protecting a breeding area for these birds, specifically the little bustard.

 

In addition, the photovoltaic plant has an environmental integration plan that allows the land to be used as pasture for sheep farming in the area.

 

Tâmega gigabattery inauguration
In other news, Iberdrola has commissioned the Tâmega gigabattery, reportedly the largest clean energy project in Portugal’s history.

 

Located in northern Portugal, the hydroelectric storage project has the capacity to produce 1,158 MW of electricity. Its electrical power production system is capable of storing 40 GWh, equivalent to the energy consumed by 11mn people during 24 hours in their homes, making it one of the largest energy storage systems in Europe, claims the company.

 

The complex is made up of three power plants – Alto Tâmega, Daivões and Gouvães. Thanks to its pumping capacity, it can store energy to be used when it is most needed, creating a cycle of energy efficiency and circular economy that Iberdrola says will avoid the emission of 1.2mn t/y of CO2. The company also reports that Tâmega will eliminate the need to import more than 160,000 t/y of oil.