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- This new project in the town of Totana, the result of 59 million euro of investment, has a capacity of 85 MW and will be able to generate 150 GWh/year.
- The Totana project is the first to be completed of the seven solar projects (339 MW) awarded to Enel Green Power España in July 2017, following the Spanish government's third renewable energy auction.
- This increase in renewable capacity forms part of Endesa's strategy of decarbonising its generation mix, with the first milestone of the strategy being to reach 8.4 GW of installed renewable capacity by 2021, with total investment of around 2 billion euro.
Enel Green Power España (EGPE), Endesa's renewable energy subsidiary, has connected the new 85-MW photovoltaic solar plant in Totana (Murcia), into which 59 million euro has been invested, to the network.
José Bogas, CEO of Endesa, said "The start of operations in this project is a milestone for the company, not only because the park has been built in record time, but also because it has involved high-tech construction techniques and systems rarely seen before in Spain. It represents another step forward for Endesa in its commitment to clean energy production, which is one of the pillars of the national energy transition policy."
EGPE currently has projects underway to construct around 900 MW of renewable capacity, with investment totalling over 800 million euro in two different technologies. It is currently building:
- 339 MW of photovoltaic solar power, awarded to EGPE during the Spanish government's third renewable energy auction in July 2017;
- 519 MW of wind power, 445 MW of which correspond to the 540 MW of wind power awarded to the company during the Spanish government's renewable energy capacity auction in May 2017.
This increase in renewable capacity forms part of Endesa's strategy of decarbonising its generation mix, with the first milestone of the strategy being to reach 8.4 GW of installed renewable capacity by 2021, compared to the current capacity of 6.5 GW, with a total investment of about 2 billion euro.
The photovoltaic power station will comprise 248,000 modules and will be capable of generating approximately 150 GWh per year, which will reduce CO2 emissions into the atmosphere by approximately 104,000 tonnes per year.
The construction of the park in Totana is based on Enel Green Power's "Sustainable Construction Site" model, which includes the installation of photovoltaic solar panels at each site to cover the energy needs for the project, and the implementation of initiatives to involve the local community in the development of the project. The solar panels used during construction will be donated to the José Moyá Day Centre, which helps people suffering from mental health problems, and to which EGPE has also provided an efficient lighting system. Other actions include recycling waste and composting organic fraction during the construction phase.
Endesa employs a facility development model known as CSV (Creating Shared Value) that includes actions to create social value in the areas around its constructions. In particular and in terms of CSV, the Totana solar project has boosted employment and enhanced the employability of the local population. Hiring local labour for the construction of the plant and for other work related to the project (such as catering and accommodation for workers) was made a priority. Renewable energy training courses were set up for unemployed local residents, as were environmental awareness programmes in schools, at the José Moyá Day Centre and at other local associations.
Endesa currently manages over 6638 MW of renewable capacity in Spain. Of this figure, 4710 MW are from conventional hydroelectric generation. The remainder, approximately 1928 MW, are managed by EGPE, and come from wind energy (1750 MW), mini hydraulic energy (79 MW) and other sources of renewable energy (99 MW).
Enel Green Power, the global renewable energy business line of the Enel Group, of which Endesa is part, is dedicated to the development and operation of renewables worldwide, with a presence in Europe, America, Asia, Africa and Oceania. Enel Green Power is a global leader in the green energy sector, with a managed capacity of around 43 GW in a generation combination that includes wind, solar, geothermal and hydroelectric and is at the forefront of the integration of innovative technologies in renewable power plants.