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The new facility, Balbona, has a capacity of nearly 145 MW and will be the company's largest solar farm in the region. Its construction is expected to generate approximately 250 local jobs.
To promote local employment, the company has launched two training programmes on solar panel installation and renewable farm operation and maintenance. These courses will benefit around 50 residents, prioritising unemployed individuals, women, and Jumilla residents.
Endesa, through its renewable energy subsidiary Enel Green Power España, has begun construction of what will become its largest solar farm in the Murcia Region. The Balbona solar farm is located in the town of Jumilla, in the ‘La Capellanía’ area.
During the construction phase, the project will create over 250 direct jobs. To support local hiring, Endesa, in coordination with the Jumilla City Council, has launched training programmes in solar panel assembly and renewable farm operation and maintenance.
These training programmes, which will accommodate up to 50 participants, will prioritise unemployed individuals, women, and residents. The courses, totaling approximately 140 hours, will combine theoretical and hands-on sessions led by industry professionals in facilities provided by the Jumilla City Council. Upon completion, participants will receive an official certification, enhancing their opportunities in the growing renewable energy job market.
This initiative is part of the socio-economic development axis of Endesa's shared value creation plan, which accompanies the development of the Balbona farm. It follows previous initiatives launched in November 2023, such as the ASAJA and Endesa mobile office for rural digitalisation, which was stationed in Jumilla to provide support on agricultural sector-related topics. Additionally, in January 2024, two training courses were held—one on olive tree pruning and another on drone piloting, benefiting 39 participants.
To further promote social inclusion, Endesa, through Enel Green Power España, has collaborated with ASPAJUNIDE—an association supporting individuals with disabilities—to deliver a composting and vegetative barrier maintenance course (COMPOST-IN). This initiative has benefited 13 students, who are now certified to work in vegetation clearing and maintenance, including at solar farms.
The Balbona solar farm, with a capacity of 143.98 MW, joins Endesa’s existing 49 MW Totana solar farm, in operation since 2019. This means that the company's renewable capacity in the Murcia Region will triple.
The construction of the new farm represents an €82 million investment and will incorporate innovative technologies, such as the ‘e-house’ solution for housing electrical sub-stations. This prefabricated system used to contain electronic equipment reduces construction material usage by 60%, minimising environmental impact. Additionally, prefabricated foundations will be used to speed up construction time while reducing the carbon footprint compared to traditional methods.
As part of its sustainability plan, Endesa will donate various materials used during construction—such as packaging and defibrillators—to the local community.
To involve the town of Jumilla in the sustainability strategy of the Balbona solar farm, Endesa has engaged local stakeholders from the early stages of the project to address their concerns and needs. As part of this collaboration, the company will install collective self-consumption photovoltaic systems on the rooftops of municipal buildings and the ‘Más Vida’ residence for elderly individuals with disabilities, managed by ASPAJUNIDE. In total, 125 kWp of solar capacity will be installed, which will generate energy consumption savings of over 187 MWh/year and offset 2,172.19 tCO₂ emissions over the farm’s lifetime.