Futur-e in Teruel

Enviroment

The Teruel thermal power plant (Andorra) was built between 1974 and 1979 and has been in operation for more than four decades, forging a deep-rooted bond with the area. It was built with the aim of making extensive use of black lignite from mines located in the Turolense mining basin, mixed with imported coals. Over its lifetime it produced 224,000 GWh, equivalent to one year's mainland electricity consumption.

On 19 December 2018, we submitted a formal request for closure. In parallel to the request for closure, we voluntarily presented a Future Plan designed to offset the effects of the closure by means of a number of specific measures to promote the development of economic activities and job creation in the area around the plant.

In 2020 the plant was definitively closed down and we started the dismantling process and to draw up a plan for the region that includes the establishment of new industry and the development of renewable energy plants.

In November 2022, through our renewable energy subsidiary Enel Green Power España, we were awarded the Andorra fair transition tender called by the Ministry of Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge.

The Plan presented, which combines new renewable energy capacity with a unique hybridisation of technologies, green hydrogen projects and a synchronous compensator, is further enhanced with a socio-economic development plan.

The coal-fired power production of the thermal power plant will now be replaced by renewable energy with total installed capacity of more than 1,800 MW.

Renewable development

We will build 14 renewable projects with seven hybridisations. It is a proposition hitherto unique in Spain that allows for greater efficiency of the facilities and an output far greater than the capacity of the plant itself.

The new renewable plants will be located in Albalate del Arzobispo, Híjar, Samper de Calanda-Castelnou, Andorra, Calanda, Alcañiz, La Puebla de Híjar, Jatiel and Alcorisa.

We will also develop two battery storage plants that aim to fully exploit renewable energy production, reducing energy loss and optimising its use.

In addition, an electrolyser will be installed that will allow the surplus of renewable energy to be managed for the production of green hydrogen, and a synchronous compensator that will allow this renewable energy to be injected with greater quality and stability, contributing to the proper operation of the electricity transmission network.

Industry

The renewable development is accompanied by an industrial plan with companies with which agreements have been struck for the development of their production activity.

• New solar components plant. In partnership with Soltec we will build a solar components factory.
• Expansion of the Pretersa factory. The expansion of the precast concrete factory in La Puebla de Híjar.
• Development of an electrolyser manufacturing centre.
• Development of a recycling centre for wind turbines. Meeting a need of the renewables sector and contributing to the circularity of these industrial elements.
• Development of a chip processing plant for biomass heating. The Maestrazgo Els Ports company will use the warehouse as a logistics storage facility for material from the forest clear-up work of our own renewable energy plants.
• Smart Rural Andorra. Development of a digital platform that optimises the logistics chain of agrifood companies in Andorra and its region to connect production centres with urban consumption centres through non-CO2-emitting transport solutions.
• Balneario de Ariño. An expansion of this centre that will add value to the municipality and boost the local economy. This measure will enable permanent jobs to be created and serve as a tourist attraction for the district.

In addition, we have also proposed the development of energy communities in nine of the municipalities covered by the fair transition agreement where the renewable energy projects will be located. Self-consumption plants will be installed in various locations in these municipalities, increasing their independence and energy efficiency. In addition, we have committed to reach more than 3,000 self-consumption beneficiaries.

Local training

Initiatives in the primary and services sector, which promote training and employment through economic diversification, taking advantage of the region's endogenous resources, which have been identified in a process of active listening with local agents.

We are committed to training as one of the vectors of our just transition plan for Andorra.

• Over 300,000 hours of training related to the activity that renewable energy plants will generate and benefitting the most vulnerable groups in rural areas such as young people, women, the unemployed and people with disabilities.
• A training plan intended to benefit 1,300 unemployed people in the region. To this end, agreements have been reached with leading organisations in the area such as AFAMMER (Association of Families and Mothers in Rural Areas), ASAJA (Association of Young Farmers), CFP San Blas and Fundación Juan XXIII and ATADI for people with disabilities.
• Rural Sustainable Energy School: In partnership with various organisations training will be provided in renewables and primary sector activities. Beneficiaries will then be trained in activities with potential for development in the area.
• An alliance with more than 30 entities: The plan includes alliances to carry our various projects with the aim of creating jobs for local people and encouraging them to remain in the area through the development of economic activity. 

Biodiversity and inclusion

Birdlife Research and Information Centre: We will build this centre that will not only foster tourism activity but aim to become a support centre for the entire local and regional education community.

Rural bee tourism: We will install apiaries in the solar plants that are built in the project environment. In addition to supporting apiculture, because of the important role played by bees in conserving biodiversity, apitourism will contribute to the sustainable development of the local community. In partnership with two local beekeepers: Luas Miel and La Cerrada.

Agrivoltaics: The cultivation of different plant species under solar panels. They will be planted in the Calanda, Santa María (in the municipality of Samper de Calanda) and San Macario (in the municipality of Andorra) solar farms. This is an initiative that Enel Green Power España has been working on with a great deal of success in some of its renewable facilities. Agreement with Natur Nature for the cultivation of aromatic plants.

Sheep grazing: Shepherds in the area will take their sheep to carry out natural clearing tasks in the facilities with the aim of making industrial and rural activity compatible.           

These sheep will coexist with a 20-hectare protected flora micro reserve with the aim of protecting rare, endemic and threatened botanical species. The project has been identified as an opportunity to contribute to the fight against the loss of biological diversity reflected in the Aragon Biodiversity Strategy and the Natura 2000 network.

Protection of 150 olive trees: located in the vicinity of the Andorra thermal power plant. In partnership with ATADI, a leading organisation in the area in the field of disability and a special employment centre, we are going to develop the Inclusive Olive Grove and Nursery project, with the aim not only of conserving these species but planting quince trees on the adjacent cultivable land.

From the Solar Farm to the Table: A project to produce and sell olive oil through the restoration of more than 50,000 abandoned olive trees in mining areas and the preparation of preserved products with the oil obtained. This project will not only create rural employment, but also boost a sector that was in decline in the area. In partnership with the Adopt an Olive Tree association.

Inclusive pictovillage: Installation of a series of pictograms in the urban centre of Andorra. This initiative will make Andorra the first pictovillage in Aragón and the third in Spain. It will be carried out in partnership with the town council of Andorra and will directly benefit ATADI and      the Gloria Fuertes Special Education College.

Green mile of the energy transition: A signposted route for hikers on the perimeter of the plant that connects renewable power facilities and initiatives of the primary sector. It involves local guides and includes tastings of products from local businesses.

The Val de Zafan Route: Improvement and repurposing of the Val de Zafán railway line as a green route through the installation of a photovoltaic kit on the Torica Bridge to achieve efficient lighting throughout the La Mina Tunnel. In partnership with the town council of Puebla de Híjar.