Spain's Canary Islands to host 255MW of new solar PV

• Spain's government and the European Union will certainly give funding to sustain the advancement of 65 brand-new solar projects in the Canary Islands by the end of next year.

Plants with a combined capability of 255MW will certainly get EUR20 million (US$ 24 million) in sponsorship with the 'SolCan' programme, which is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund and aims to decrease electricity prices in the archipelago.

It is expected the developments will be appointed by the end of 2022 as well as "considerably boost" the payment of solar to the islands' energy mix.

According to Spain's government, the Canary Islands had a 16.4% share of renewable resources in their electrical energy production in 2019, contrasted to 38.6% for mainland Spain. The complete capacity of projects sustained with the 'SolCan' program has actually now enhanced from the original 150MW total up to 255MW.

Of the 65 projects to be backed by the system, 36 will certainly be developed in Gran Canaria, 18 in Fuerteventura, 6 in Tenerife, 4 in Lanzarote as well as one in La Gomera.

Iberdrola revealed it has protected 36.3 MW of solar ability via the system's initial bidding process, with the company set to create the projects in Fuerteventura this year as well as in 2022.

The 'SolCan' program stands for the 3rd phase of Spain's renewable resource island programme, which saw grants worth EUR40 million supplied to solar projects totalling 326MW in the Balearic Islands under 'SolBal', while wind was sustained in the Canary Islands under 'EolCan'.

Spain's Energy Ministry stated the promo of renewables in the nation's island areas is one the goals of its Integrated National Energy and also Climate Plan (PNIEC), which recognises the opportunity the island locations have to develop themselves as a testing ground for technologies or policies that could be exported to landmass Spain.

It was revealed earlier this year that the Canary Islands will be home to a brand-new floating solar pilot project that will face high winds and also waves of approximately 10 metres. The 250kWp plant, which is being established by a consortium of partners, will certainly intend to certify Sea Sun's floating solar technology for offshore applications in non-sheltered locations.