Iberdrola’s 37MW Montechoro 1 and 2 solar plants in the Algarve region of southern Portugal, have been completed and are now feeding into the country’s grid.
With an annual production capacity of 56.84GWh, the projects were awarded to Iberdrola in an auction in 2019.
More than 64,554 bifacial panels will generate enough energy to supply around 19,000 households, avoiding the emission of more than 21 million tonnes of CO2 per year.
The projects represent a total investment of €30m, having generated around 200 jobs in the region and contributed to the promotion of the local economy by hiring suppliers for the construction of the grid connection and substation.
“The completion of two additional photovoltaic plants represents an important milestone on the path to the decarbonisation of the economy, reinforcing the renewable energy production capacity in Portugal and contributing to socio-economic development, in line with national and global targets for reducing emissions and promoting energy autonomy,” said Iberdrola Renewables Portugal managing director Alejandra Reyna.
The Spanish developer said it “also continues to strengthen its commitment to the protection of biodiversity, delivering a range of environmental conservation measures in the construction of these plants”.
Iberdrola added it will continue to invest in expanding its green energy production portfolio in Portugal, supporting the energy transition, improving energy security and competitiveness, and creating sustainable jobs throughout the value chain.