Zelestra has expanded its partnership with Graphic Packaging through a new virtual Power Purchase Agreement (vPPA) that will enable the construction of a 19-megawatt direct current (MWdc) solar plant in Villamañán, Spain.
The agreement brings the total capacity contracted under the partnership to more than 100 MWdc, equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of over 52,000 households. The new Villamañán facility is expected to generate approximately 28,700 megawatt-hours (MWh) of clean energy each year and reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by over 4,900 metric tons. Commissioning is targeted for the first quarter of 2026.
The latest vPPA follows an initial agreement signed in August 2024 that enabled development of two solar plants—José Cabrera in Guadalajara and Socovos II in Albacete—totaling 83 MWdc. Both projects are currently under advanced construction, with commercial operation expected by the end of 2025. Once the Villamañán plant becomes operational, approximately 70 MWdc of Graphic Packaging’s previously contracted capacity will be redistributed across all three sites.
“Thanks to Graphic Packaging’s commitment, more than 100 MW of carbon-free solar power will soon come into operation in Spain,” said Luis Alvargonzalez, Zelestra’s country manager in Spain. “Importantly, this means over 25,000 tons of CO₂ emissions will be avoided annually, so we are focused on delivering these projects on time to unlock all their benefits.”
Graphic Packaging, a global supplier of fiber-based packaging solutions, said the move helps support its carbon reduction strategy across its operations and supply chain. “Supporting Zelestra on the construction of the Villamañán plant will add more green electricity to the European grid,” said Jean-François Roche, senior vice president and chief commercial officer at Graphic Packaging. “The signed vPPAs enable us to meet our Scope 1 and 2 decarbonization targets and reduce the carbon footprint of our packaging solutions, helping our customers meet their Scope 3 GHG reduction targets.”
