Plenitude, an energy company controlled by Italy’s Eni, has connected the northern block of its Renopool solar project in Spain to the national electricity grid, marking a milestone in the development of what will become the company’s largest solar installation.
Located in Solana de los Barros, in the province of Badajoz (Extremadura), the northern block comprises three photovoltaic plants with a combined capacity of 130 megawatts (MW). It is expected to generate over 265 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity annually, the company said on Sunday.
The Renopool project, which includes a total of seven plants split into two construction phases, is scheduled for full completion by the end of 2025 and will have a total installed capacity of 330MW.
Plenitude said the successful grid connection of the first block was achieved in collaboration with main contractor OHLA and local authorities. The company highlighted that ongoing partnerships at the local level would be essential for the remaining construction and operational phases.
“The connection of the first block of Renopool to the grid marks an important step in our renewables business development strategy in Spain,” said Mariangiola Mollicone, Plenitude’s head of renewables in Western Europe. “The Renopool project will be our largest solar plant installation, not only because of its size, but also because of its positive environmental and economic impact on the region and will contribute to the country’s energy transition.
In parallel with its construction efforts, Plenitude is undertaking long-term environmental monitoring and biodiversity initiatives. These include a five-year research partnership with the University of Extremadura focused on fauna and soil quality, as well as the management of more than 100 hectares aimed at improving the habitat of steppe bird species.
Driven by ongoing developments in Extremadura, Castilla y León, and Andalusia, Plenitude has reached an installed capacity of about 1,300MW in Spain. The company is targeting over 2 gigawatts (GW) of future installed capacity across a range of renewable technologies.
