- A pioneering study conducted at two of Endesa’s solar plants in Cuenca reveals that the biodiversity in these facilities is evolving, moving away from the monoculture farmland they were built on and toward the natural characteristics of the surrounding environment.
- The study, unique in Spain, involved the participation of several scientific organisations, including the Asociación Reserva de la Biosfera Valle del Cabriel, the Fundació Medioambiental de la Comunitat Valenciana, and the Asociación Rincón de la Abeja.
‘The plots where the solar plants are located show the highest levels of plant biodiversity, along with the areas of sclerophyll shrubland and mixed forest, across the 1,500 hectares analysed in this report.’
This finding, derived from research measuring biodiversity both inside and outside Endesa’s solar plants in Cuenca, may seem straightforward at first glance, but it reflects the significant scientific and technical complexity required to prove that solar panels, flora, and fauna can coexist. More than that, with changes in land use and enough time, these facilities can boost biodiversity through environmental measures like soil revegetation, regenerative grazing, and the avoidance of chemicals such as insecticides, pesticides, or herbicides.
This is one of the first conclusions from a pioneering one-year study carried out at two of Endesa’s solar plants in Cuenca by biodiversity-focused organizations like Rincón de la Abeja and the Fundació Medioambiental de la Comunitat Valenciana, with support from the Asociación Reserva de la Biosfera del Valle de Cabriel, a leading environmental entity in the region.
This unique study in the renewable energy sector was launched one year after the inauguration of the Minglanilla I and II solar plants, located in the Cuenca municipalities of Minglanilla and Graja de Iniesta, in February 2023. Throughout the study, standard methodologies were used to record different species, employing acoustic and audiovisual technologies (such as censuses, transects, camera traps, and AudioMoth recorders). Biodiversity indices (Gini-Simpson, Margalef, and Shannon) were calculated across 13 analysed zones.
The study’s conclusions are clear: ‘The values obtained for different habitats are remarkably consistent for birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles, while some zonal variation is observed in plant and insect species.’ On the other hand, the Minglanilla I and II solar plants have the habitats with the highest bird population density, with 820 individuals, though they do not yet host the greatest number of species.
The identified species have been logged on INaturalist (Reserva Biosfera - Minglanilla - Valle del Cabriel · iNaturalist), an open platform used for public outreach by the scientific community. At present, the inventory for the 13 study zones includes 417 species: plants (42%), insects (38%), birds (14%), arachnids (3%), mammals (2%), and reptiles/amphibians. The study also confirmed the presence of rare species that are difficult to spot in the area, such as the spotted eagle and the wildcat.
All these records have been verified by botany specialists from various universities and associations such as ANSE (Asociación Naturalista del Sureste), along with experts from the European project European Pollinator Species Monitoring (EUPoMS).
This diversity of flora and fauna is further supported by other complementary initiatives, such as the construction of the insect shelter that Endesa has installed at the solar plant. The structure, shaped like a compass rose, aims to enter the Guinness World Records and is currently about 30% occupied. The observations and results obtained in plot 11 open the possibility of applying for its designation as an entomological reserve.
The ‘tenants’ of this insect shelter arrived with the help of more than 200 local schoolchildren and people with disabilities, who filled each of the ‘rooms’ in this unique structure while taking part in environmental awareness events held last May.
In this way, the insect shelter associated with these solar plants has become a key element in creating shared value (CSV), with inclusion and community participation at its core. In this context, two information sessions on the study will soon be held, with talks specifically aimed at local farmers near the facilities. These sessions will address topics related to habitat conservation in agricultural areas, the importance of insects as pollinating agents, and their role in the biological control of pests. Various studies have shown that the presence of pollinators in crops can increase yields by up to 30%—as in the case of almond trees—compared to areas where no conservation or promotion efforts for these species have been implemented.
About Endesa
Endesa is the leading electricity company in Spain and the second largest in Portugal. It is also the second largest gas operator in the Spanish market. Endesa operates an integrated business model spanning electricity generation, distribution, and supply. Furthermore, the company offers value-added services focused on the electrification of energy use for households, businesses, and public administrations. Endesa is committed to the United Nations’ SDGs and corporate social responsibility. In the latter area, it also operates through the Endesa Foundation. Our team comprises around 9,000 employees. Endesa is part of Enel.