Naturgy has commissioned three new photovoltaic plants in Extremadura with a combined capacity of 150 MW and the ability to supply renewable energy to more than 94,000 homes. These are El Encinar I, Los Naipes and Los Naipes II, all three located in the municipality of Badajoz.
Requiring an overall investment of 70 million euros, these facilities have an individual capacity of 50 MW and will generate a total of 315 GWh/year. This production will reduce CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions by more than 150,000 tonnes per year.
During the construction phase, the three new plants have generated more than 1,000 jobs, both direct and indirect, and allow Naturgy to reach 292 MW of power in operation in Extremadura, accounting for 46% of the company’s annual production in the region. With their entry into operation, Naturgy expects to reach a production of 670 GWh in the region by 2025, equivalent to the consumption of more than 200,000 homes.
The El Encinar I, Los Naipes and Los Naipes II plants have required significant coordination and collaboration with three other developers in the area, which together are developing 16 photovoltaic plants. Naturgy shares with them evacuation infrastructures to the San Serván hub, requiring almost five years of coordinated management in close collaboration of the Regional Government of Extremadura.
Collaboration between the various developers has also enabled them to launch a pioneering research project with the collaboration of the University of Extremadura and support from the Regional Government of Extremadura, which aims to carry out a common environmental monitoring and follow-up plan to assess how photovoltaic activity influences the land and the biodiversity of the environment. The ultimate aim is to promote sustainable development that reconciles economic development with the preservation of flora, fauna and soil.
The head of Renewable Projects Spain at Naturgy Juan Ferrero, highlights the support that these three new plants represent for “the development of renewable energies in Extremadura”, emphasising “the commitment of our company to the sustainable development of the region”.
Naturgy’s commitment to Extremadura
Extremadura is a region of high strategic value for Naturgy. The three new photovoltaic plants in Badajoz are in addition to the 142 MW of installed capacity provided by the Merengue and Merengue II wind farms and the Puerta del Jerte and Miraflores photovoltaic plants. The company is currently working on the construction of the Campo de Arañuelo photovoltaic plant, with 300 MW of power and an estimated production of 514 GWh per year, and the Las Jaras de Badajoz photovoltaic plant, between La Albuera and Badajoz, with 59 MW of power.
Overall figures for all these projects (9 in total) entail a capacity of 651 MW and an investment by the company of more than 350 million euros, in addition to the associated evacuation infrastructures shared with other developers. Other projects in the community are also under analysis and administrative processing for future development and construction.