Spanish utility giant Iberdrola and solar PV manufacturer Exiom have taken a significant step in their joint venture by receiving the first shipment of specialized machinery for their solar PV module assembly plant in Asturias, Spain. This development marks a crucial milestone in their effort to bolster solar module manufacturing within Europe.
Earlier this year, Iberdrola and Exiom unveiled their plans to establish a tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) module assembly plant with an annual nameplate capacity of 500 megawatts (MW) in the Spanish province of Asturias. The machinery recently delivered to the facility primarily consists of laminating machines, essential for the production of solar PV modules.
In addition to acquiring machinery, the companies are actively refurbishing the existing infrastructure at the plant. This transformation aims to repurpose the former steel industry facilities into a state-of-the-art solar module production line.
The decision to build a module assembly plant in Spain reflects the shared commitment of Iberdrola and Exiom to achieve competitive manufacturing capabilities in Europe. It aligns with the European Union's vision for industrializing the energy transition, exemplified by initiatives like the Green Deal Industrial Plan.
The initial focus of this collaboration is on establishing a module assembly line. However, both companies remain open to expanding their partnership to encompass other components of the solar PV value chain in the future.
Beyond Spain, Exiom already operates two module assembly lines in China, boasting a combined annual nameplate capacity of 1 gigawatt (GW). This further underscores their expertise and presence in the global solar manufacturing sector.
