Sonnedix has inaugurated its largest solar project in Europe to date—the 150-megawatt (MW) Douro facility in Tarouca, northern Portugal—as part of its strategy to double operating capacity in the country by the end of 2025.
The Douro project is backed by a 10-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with digital infrastructure provider Equinix, and marks a significant step in the renewable energy company’s Iberian expansion. The company is also exploring the hybridisation of the site with wind and battery storage through its Valdigem substation connection.
“This is our biggest plant built in Europe, within a high-growth market for Sonnedix, cementing Portugal as a key part of our European growth strategy,” said Carlos Guinand, executive chairman of Sonnedix. “Our partnership with Equinix signals continued appetite for renewable energy, particularly in powering the new digital economy and data centres.”
The plant’s official opening was held in Vila Chã da Beira and attended by Sonnedix leadership alongside local officials, including Tarouca municipality president Valdemar Pereira and Paula Pinto of Portuguese grid operator REN.
Sonnedix has rapidly expanded its presence in Portugal, developing over 400MW of capacity to date. An additional 200MW is currently under construction. The company is leveraging a total Iberian development pipeline of 1.7 gigawatts (GW) to support its regional growth ambitions.
“It’s the result of strong collaboration with local partners and authorities, and reflects our long-term commitment to developing, owning, and operating world-class renewable energy projects,” said Beatriz Llorente Blanco, head of growth for Iberia at Sonnedix.
Carlos Paulino, managing director at Equinix Portugal, said the Douro facility would play a key role in supporting the company’s sustainability goals. “Project Douro represents a landmark achievement, not just for Equinix but for Portugal’s renewable energy sector as a whole,” he said.
