Iberdrola SA has received environmental approval to build a 440-MW pumped-storage hydropower plant on the Tagus River in western Spain. The utility company is now awaiting additional consent for the project, having already obtained a permit for grid access.
The planned Alcantara II project will utilize two existing reservoirs at different elevations, enhancing the current infrastructure. It will involve the construction of a new pumping station and underground tunnels to connect the lower-level Cedillo reservoir with the higher-level Alcantara reservoir, creating a single closed-loop system for pumped-storage hydroelectricity.
Iberdrola emphasized that the facility will be designed to minimize environmental impact, with all essential components, including two 220-MW reversible turbines, situated underground to preserve the area's heritage.
The new plant is projected to generate over 1 TWh of additional electricity annually, utilizing the existing water resource, while providing a storage capacity of 16 GWh.
The project has also been awarded a state grant of EUR 44.9 million (USD 49.7 million) from the Institute for the Diversification and Saving of Energy (IDAE), which is responsible for distributing Next GenerationEU funds aimed at renewable energy initiatives.
Iberdrola has highlighted the importance of energy storage in its 2024-2026 investment plan, allocating EUR 1.5 billion to expand its pumped-storage capacity by 20%.
