Iberdrola has completed its 37 megawatt (MW) Montechoro 1 and 2 solar plants in the Algarve region of southern Portugal, with both projects now operational and contributing to the national grid.
The solar plants, awarded to Iberdrola in a 2019 auction, have a combined annual production capacity of 56.84 gigawatt-hours (GWh). They utilize over 64,000 bifacial panels to generate energy sufficient for approximately 19,000 households, helping to avoid more than 21 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.
The total investment for the projects amounts to €30 million. The development has also created around 200 jobs in the region and boosted the local economy by engaging suppliers for grid connection and substation construction.
Alejandra Reyna, Managing Director of Iberdrola Renewables Portugal, stated, “The completion of two additional photovoltaic plants represents an important milestone on the path to the decarbonisation of the economy, reinforcing the renewable energy production capacity in Portugal and contributing to socio-economic development, in line with national and global targets for reducing emissions and promoting energy autonomy.”
Iberdrola noted its ongoing commitment to biodiversity protection through various environmental conservation measures during the construction of these plants. The company also plans to further invest in expanding its green energy portfolio in Portugal, aiming to support the energy transition, enhance energy security and competitiveness, and create sustainable employment across the value chain.
