- Endesa has purchased 519 MW under development solar power capacity in Spain’s Huelva
- Arena Power, that has sold these projects to Endesa’s EGPE, will continue the development process while the latter will undertake construction work
- Projects will be connected to the Palos substation in Huelva Industrial Park that’s a chemical, oil and metallurgical center
- Eventually this renewable power will be fed to the company’s proposed renewable hydrogen production project
Enel Green Power Espana (EGPE), the renewable energy subsidiary of Spanish electricity utility Endesa, has acquired 519 MW of solar power capacity in the form of 11 under development projects in Spain’s Huelva province, for an investment of €350 million ($416 million).
It has purchased the rights to develop this capacity from Spanish developer Arena Power, with construction set to begin in 2022 and commercial operations in 2024. Arena Power, for whom this represents its 1st transaction, will continue the development process with EGPE constructing the projects. All the projects will come up at 6 sites – in Huelva, namely Palma del Condado, Gibraleón, Trigueros, San Juan del Puerto, Beas and Niebla.
Endesa said this 519 MW capacity can meet energy requirements of around 305,000 homes by a single transmission line to be connected to the Palos substation in Huelva Industrial Park.
Explaining the rationale behind investing in this portfolio, Endesa shared, “This substation will meet the energy requirements of the chemical, oil and metallurgical centre in Huelva, which hosts 18 companies and 19 large industrial facilities. The combination of the highest levels of solar radiation in continental Europe and the large local consumption make this cluster one of the most attractive portfolios in Spain.”
The utility added that power generated by this capacity will be operational and ready to eventually feed the green hydrogen production project it proposed to the government in February 2021. Endesa has proposed the Spanish government to build 340 MW electrolyzer capacity powered by 2 GW solar and wind power to produce renewable hydrogen (see Endesa: 2 GW RE To Power 340 ME Electrolyzer Capacity).
“Constructing these renewable farms close to areas of great power consumption is the most effective way of making industrial activity sustainable in Huelva,” pointed out General Manager of Generation at Endesa, Rafael González.
