Enel Green Power Espana awarded contract by Spain Government to construct solar plants of 339 MW capacity in Bajadoz and Murcia

The latest scoop to grab the headlines in the renewable energy cosmos is that of Enel Green Power Espana being awarded a solar capacity of 339 MW by the Spanish Government to construct solar plants in the country. The acquisition of this green energy tender by Enel adds another feather to the company’s already enviable cap of achievements in the renewable sector, as the firm had already been awarded a wind energy tender of 540 MW last May.

For the uninitiated, Green Power Espana, or EGPE, fully owned by Endesa Generacion, is basically the Spanish subsidiary of the Italian energy company Enel SPA. EGPE currently operates an appreciable renewable energy capacity of around 1,675 MW in Spain, fragmented into hydropower, wind, and other sources, such as biomass and solar. As per reliable statistics, 43 MW of the total operational capacity is attained from hydropower, 14 MW from biomass, solar, and other sources, while 1,618 MW is obtained from wind. At present, EGPE’s plants generate a commendable 4 TWh of green energy on an annual basis.

Reports cite that the Enel Group will pour in a stupendous capital of around EUR 270 million for the construction of the solar capacity, which is apparently a part of its investment strategy elucidated in its latest strategic plan. The solar plants are anticipated to gain ground by the year 2019, post which the obtained energy will be sold in the Spanish pool market. The government of Spain is expected to provide incentives via annual capacity payments that will guarantee stable returns for over 25 years of the lifespan of the facilities.

The green energy tender awarded to Enel is a part of the Spanish Government’s strategy to help the country achieve accomplished heights in global renewable energy market. For the record, the government of Spain had launched an initiative to achieve a target of obtaining 20% (or around 3 GW) of energy consumption from renewable sources by the year 2020. Keeping abreast of the same, the government aims to collect at 3,000 MW through this tender.

It has been reported that once the solar plants, which will be constructed in Bajadoz and Murcia, are up and running, they will produce at least 640 GWh of clean energy annually. Statistically, the generation of this energy is equivalent to preventing carbon dioxide emissions of around 384,000 tons, to say the least, which would have otherwise been generated through conventional fuels such as diesel and coal.

For the record, the Enel Group had also recently inaugurated a wind farm in Brazil of 90 MW capacity through its subsidiary, EGPB (Enel Green Power Brasil Participacoes). One of Enel’s top management employees in the renewables department stated that this tender will bring about a revolutionary breakthrough for the company as well as for the country, as Enel strives to affirm its extensive commitment to green energy in Spain. The Spanish government’s contribution toward achieving the country’s green energy goal is asserted with the current sanction of the wind capacity and solar capacity. Collectively implemented, both the projects will contribute extensively to foster the expansion of the renewable energy industry in Spain, cite analysts.