55 Solar Projects Approved For Balearic Islands

• Under Spain's SOLBAL program for its Balearic Islands, 55 projects with 326 MW cumulative capacity have been selected
• These projects will be co-financed with €40 million grant from the ERDF out of their total project cost of €260.5 million
• Maximum projects are to come up in Majorca with 256.36 MW capacity followed by Minorca, Ibiza and Formentera islands
• Entire capacity is expected to come online in 2022 when the administration expects the share of solar PV capacity in the total energy mix of the islands will increase to 10%, from the current 2.5%

Spain's SOLBAL program has finalized 55 projects under the first call for tenders for solar PV installations in Balearic Islands with a cumulative capacity of 326 MW. These projects are eligible to receive grants worth €40 million ($44.5 million) from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) that are managed by the Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving (IDAE) under the Spanish Ministry of Ecological Transition.

The €40 million co-financing from ERDF accounts for 15.30% of the total budget of the 55 facilities which adds up to some €260.5 million ($290 million).

For the first call for tenders of the SOLBAL program, IDAE received 56 applications with a cumulative capacity of 335 MW earlier this year (see 335 MW Solar PV Seeking Financial Support In Spain).

The winning capacity will be developed at the following locations:

1. 46 projects with 256.36 MW capacity in Majorca
2. 6 projects with 61.8 MW capacity in Minorca
3. 2 projects with 6.228 MW capacity in Ibiza, and
4. 1 project with 1.938 MW capacity in Formentera

The entire 326 MW will need to come online in 2022 to help the Balearic Islands in increasing the share of solar power in its total energy mix to 10% from the current 2.5%, said IDAE. However, the names of winning companies were not disclosed.

Through the SOLBAL program, the ministry aims to promote sustainable energy in the Balearic and Canary Islands. Currently, the Balearic Islands have 38 solar PV parks – 35 in Mallorca, two in Menorca, and one in Formentera. Additionally, 20 PV parks are being processed.

In February 2019, the Parliament of the Balearic Islands approved the target for the region to achieve 100% renewable energy by 2050 (see Balearic Islands Aim For 100% RE By 2050).