The Assessment Committee for the development of projects related to the closure of the Compostilla thermal power plant, in which the Ministry of the Ecological Transition, the regional government of Castile and León, the mayors of Ponferrada and Cubillos del Sil, the University of León and Endesa are all involved, today approved the first seven projects of the Futur-e Plan that Endesa is promoting in the area and gave the green light to the use of equipment used at the plant for an additional project. These initiatives, which accompany the closure of the plant, could generate around 160 new direct jobs and mobilise an investment in excess of 260 million euros.
Projects have been selected as part of an international competition to promote the implementation of companies in El Bierzo that mitigate the end of thermal generation activities, pursuant to the goals set out by Brussels. This process forms part of the Futur-e Plan, created by Endesa to mitigate the effects of the closure of the Compostilla power station. It also comprises actions including but not limited to the development of 625 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy in the area, the organisation of professional training courses for the local population affected by the closure, as well as the prioritisation of local labour in the circular dismantling of the thermal power plant.
The decision with regard to the projects was adopted by the committee as part of an online meeting attended by Laura Martín, Director of the Institute for Fair Transition, at the Ministry of Ecological Transition; Alfonso Arroyo, General Manager for Energy at the regional government of Castile and León; Olegario Ramón, mayor of Ponferrada; Antonio Cuellas, mayor of Cubillos del Sil; Nuria González Rabanal and Victoriano Marcelo, experts appointed by the University of León; and Miguel Temboury and Juan Álvarez, directors at Endesa.
The initiatives approved by the Assessment for the area surrounding the old Compostilla power station are: The first electric vehicle battery recycling factory, at which Endesa is partnering up with technology firm Northvolt and environmental services firm Urbaser to implement an investment of 14 million euros; a wind turbine blade recycling plant, at which Endesa is also involved and that will require an investment of 8 million euros; a hydromagnesite factory, promoted by the Viloria Group, in collaboration with Magnesitas de Rubián, which will represent an investment of 6 million in the area; a wind logistics warehouse promoted by Endesa through its renewable energy subsidiary, Enel Green Power España, with an initial investment of 100,000 euros; a hydrogen plant powered by photovoltaic solar energy, promoted by Endesa with the capacity to produce 200 tonnes of green hydrogen per year and an investment of approximately 6 million euros; an electricity storage battery power plant, with 380 MW of capacity and an investment of 228 million euros, which Endesa believes will fall within the regulations established in the National Storage Plan, which is currently being drawn up; and an insulation material plant, an initiative of the Viloria Group with an estimated investment of 8.2 million euros.
An agreement has also been reached to transfer 4 coal stoves from the power station to a fruit and vegetable dehydration and packaging plant, also promoted by the Viloria Group at its current installations in Cubillos del Sil. As indicated, together these initiatives amount to more than 260 million euros of investment and will create about 160 new direct jobs.
The members of the committee highlighted the sustainability and innovation of the approved projects, which will attract economic activity and generate employment in El Bierzo. They all form part of the circular economy that Endesa has incorporated into its strategy, the promotion of which is sought by both the Government of Spain and the European Union through the Recovery Funds.
A number of the initiatives could be undertaken at the Compostilla power station, where a circular dismantling process will be developed, with some installations designated for new business projects and certain materials reused. The circular dismantling process will make it possible to recycle most of the 266,870 tons of waste that will be generated.
In addition to the space that these projects will occupy, more than 64 hectares of industrial land and almost 250 hectares of rustic land will be available on this site to implement other projects in addition to the Futur-e Plan as part of the fair transition for the area. In the coming months, work on the final configuration of the projects and their location on site will be finalised.
The committee will continue to work on monitoring the final implementation of the approved projects and any new projects that may arise.
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. It is an integrated business operation that encompasses everything from generation to marketing, and through Endesa X it provides added value services aimed at decarbonising the energy used in homes, companies, industries and government agencies. Endesa is firmly committed to the United Nations SDGs and as a result decisively promotes the development of renewable energies through Enel Green Power Spain, the electrification of the economy and Corporate Social Responsibility. We also work in the latter area through the Endesa Foundation. We have around 10,000 employees. Endesa is part of Enel, the largest electricity group in Europe.
