Eni's renewables subsidiary, Plenitude, has commenced construction on a 220 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in Salamanca, Castille y León, marking one of the largest solar projects in the region upon completion. The construction is expected to wrap up in 2025, with engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services provided by Sterling & Wilson, a solar PV construction firm.
Covering nearly 286 hectares, the solar PV plant will feature the installation of 365,300 bifacial solar modules. The project will also implement measures for the conservation and relocation of rural huts within the site and will coordinate with neighboring farmers on land use.
“The Villarino project is a virtuous example of integration with the territory. Being here today, in the presence of all the actors involved, is tangible proof of our willingness to continue this collaborative approach in the coming years, in line with our business and growth strategy in the country,” stated Mariangiola Mollicone, Head of Western Europe Renewables and Managing Director at Plenitude in Spain.
Once operational, the project is set to increase Plenitude's current operational capacity in Spain by 50%, which currently stands at 440 MW from solar PV and wind energy. The company also has nearly 1 GW of renewable energy projects under construction in various regions, including a 330 MW solar PV plant in Badajoz, eastern Spain, which started earlier this year and is expected to be operational in 2025.
In addition, Plenitude is advancing over 2 GW of capacity across different project stages. The company has partnered with Spanish construction group Avintia to develop up to 1 GW of greenfield solar projects in central and southern Spain, consisting of seven projects that may be co-located with battery energy storage systems (BESS).
