Spanish utility Iberdrola SA has secured construction permits for 406 MW of solar and wind projects across various regions in Spain. The permits were granted for the development of the 184-MW Cofrentes I and 182-MW Ayora I solar farms in the Valencian Community, and the 40-MW Labraza wind farm in the Basque Country, according to press releases issued by Iberdrola last week.
The investments for the solar projects are expected to total EUR 260 million, with each project receiving EUR 130 million. Both Cofrentes I and Ayora I will feature approximately 400,000 solar panels mounted on fixed structures. The Cofrentes I plant is anticipated to generate 332 GWh of electricity annually, while Ayora I is expected to produce around 319 GWh per year.
Iberdrola plans to further expand its renewable energy footprint in the Valencian Community, where it currently operates three solar projects with capacities ranging from 45.5 MW to 50 MW.
In the Basque Country, Iberdrola, through its joint venture with the Basque Energy Agency (EVE) called Aixeindar, has received a construction permit for the Labraza wind farm in Alava province. Aixeindar will invest EUR 49 million in this project, which includes eight units of 5-MW turbines capable of producing 99.7 GWh of electricity annually.
The Labraza project was declared to be of public interest by the relevant provincial authority. Additionally, Aixeindar is leading the 40-MW Azaceta wind project, which has already secured its construction permit, and plans to build Luminoria, the first mixed wind and photovoltaic installation in the Basque Country.
These new projects will augment the Basque region's existing wind farm capacity, currently consisting of five facilities with a total installed capacity of 153 MW. Iberdrola noted that Labraza and Azaceta will be the first wind farms commissioned in the Basque Country in nearly two decades.
