Iberdrola and Prosolia Energy Secure Europe's Largest Solar Power Plant Approval in Portugal

• Iberdrola and Prosolia Energy have secured approvals from the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) to build Europe's largest photovoltaic plant in Santiago do Cacém near Sines. It will produce clean and cheap energy to cover the annual needs of 430,000 households.

What happened? 

Iberdrola and Prosolia Energy have secured approvals from the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) to build Europe's largest photovoltaic plant in Santiago do Cacém near Sines. The solar power plant will have a capacity of 1.2 GW and will produce clean and cheap energy to cover the annual needs of 430,000 households. The grid connection has already been contracted with Portuguese operator REN and the project is expected to come online in 2025. 

Why does it matter? 

The construction of Europe's largest photovoltaic plant is a major step in the transition to renewable energy sources. The project will create up to 2,500 jobs, mostly local, and will generate energy that is equivalent to 370 million cubic meters of gas per year. In addition, the project's action plan includes measures such as occupational skills training, fostering tourism and providing solar energy to nearby communities. It will also help improve ecosystem stability and boost crop yields in the surrounding farmland. 

What's next? 

Iberdrola already owns the largest photovoltaic park on the European continent, the 590 MW Francisco Pizarro facility in Extremadura, Spain. There is also the biggest solar complex, of 750 MW, in Spain as well. In addition, Rezolv Energy is planning to start building a solar power plant of more than 1 GW in Romania in June, and a 1 GW project is under development in France. German company Profine Energy intends to install a floating solar power plant in Bulgaria with a capacity of 500 MW to 1.5 GW. Last year, Iberdrola commissioned a part of its Tâmega Gigabattery pumped storage hydropower plant on the Tâmega river in Portugal. The company plans to invest EUR 3 billion in the country in the following years in wind and solar power.