Iberdrola wins nod for 1.2 GW Portuguese solar

• Developer has safeguarded environmental approvals for the Fernando Pessoa project near Sines

Iberdrola has protected authorizations to build what will certainly be one of Europe's biggest solar plants, a 1200MW project in Portugal.

The Spanish developer has secured environmental authorizations to build the 1.2 GW Fernando Pessoa solar project, in Santiago do Cacém, near Sines.

The plant is due online in 2025 and also will have Prosolia Energy as partner.

The grid link has actually already been contracted with Portuguese operator REN as well as land for the project has actually been protected, with construction anticipated to create up to 2500 jobs, primarily local.

The plant will be an example of the "conjunction of new eco-friendly developments with environmental heritage as well as regional communities", claimed Iberdrola.

The project's action plan includes actions such as occupational skills training, cultivating tourist as well as giving solar power to close-by communities.

In terms of biodiversity as well as environmental protection, the land will certainly be made use of by shepherds to graze sheep and beehives will be presented, which will certainly assist to improve ecosystem security and also increase crop yields in the surrounding farmland.

In addition, growing will be carried out in the area bordering the center to restore native tree species.

Iberdrola Executive Chairman, Ignacio Galán, stated: "This solar farm sets a new benchmark in incorporating Europe's clean energy ambitions with the delivery of substantial environmental and social advantages.

" We need to reduce our exposure to fossil fuels. We are proud to continue and also enhance our commitment to Portugal with new clean facilities across the nation, as we performed with the Tâmega gigabattery.

" The cooperation of the Portuguese authorities has actually additionally been necessary in getting this project to this phase in record time."

Portugal has actually recently introduced a new governing framework alongside the modernisation of its managements, aimed at speeding up the deployment of clean energy.

The nation's secure as well as predictable laws as well as its initiatives to advance the implementation of the European Green Pact as well as the EU's REPower package are helping to attract investor interest.

Iberdrola prepares to spend an added EUR3bn in wind and solar energy in Portugal over the coming years.

At the end of 2022, building and construction was completed on the Alcochete solar facility (46MW) in the Setúbal area (Lisbon area), where Iberdrola has actually additionally completed 2 other PV facilities: Conde (13.5 MW) as well as Algeruz II (27MW).

In early 2023, construction will start on the 37MW Montechoro I and also II projects in Paderne (Albufeira) as well as the 64MW Carregado project in Alenquer (Lisbon), while the Estoi solar plant (83MW) in the Algarve, which likewise includes battery storage space, will certainly begin stream in 2024.

All these plants relate to Portugal's capacity auctions kept in 2019 and also 2020, when Iberdrola was granted 8 PV projects amounting to 270MW in total amount.