Iberdrola España Moves Forward with Wind Farm Repowering in Castilla-La Mancha to Boost Renewable Energy Production

Iberdrola España Moves Forward with Wind Farm Repowering in Castilla-La Mancha to Boost Renewable Energy Production

(IN BRIEF) Iberdrola España has obtained the environmental permit for its first wind farm repowering project in Castilla-La Mancha, which includes upgrading the Molar de Molinar wind farm and another site in the region. The repowering will reduce the number of turbines while increasing energy production by an average of 30%. The Molar de Molinar farm will be updated with 11 high-capacity Vestas turbines, providing clean energy to 29,500 homes. The Isabela wind farm will also be upgraded with 11 Vestas turbines, supplying energy to 26,000 homes. The project, supported by a €22.71 million grant, will benefit local economies through construction and dismantling efforts.

(PRESS RELEASE) BILBAO, 12-Nov-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Iberdrola España has achieved a significant milestone in its commitment to the energy transition by securing the environmental permit for its first repowering project in Castilla-La Mancha, specifically for the Molar de Molinar wind farm. This initiative is part of the company’s ongoing efforts to modernize its renewable energy infrastructure and increase production efficiency. Iberdrola is also progressing with plans to repower another wind farm in the region, which will dramatically reduce the number of turbines while significantly boosting energy output.

Repowering involves replacing outdated wind turbines with more advanced, high-capacity models that are equipped with cutting-edge technology. As part of the transformation, the number of turbines at the Molar de Molinar site will drop from 139 to just 22, with the new turbines capable of producing far more energy. This process not only enhances energy production by an average of 30% but also reduces the impact on the landscape, contributing to a more sustainable and efficient form of energy generation.

Located in Albacete province, the Molar de Molinar wind farm will undergo a substantial upgrade. Originally commissioned in 2001 with a capacity of 49.5 MW, the farm will be repowered with 11 Vestas turbines, each with a capacity of 4.5 MW—significantly more powerful than the original 660 kW turbines. This upgrade will result in a higher output, supplying clean energy to 29,500 homes, compared to its current output. Additionally, the Isabela wind farm, with a capacity of 48 MW, will transition from 64 turbines to just 11 Vestas turbines, further boosting its ability to supply emissions-free energy to 26,000 families.

The repowering projects are expected to have a positive impact on the local and national economy. The dismantling of old turbines will involve companies like Invenergy Huso from A Coruña, while the construction process will engage local contractors such as Marco Group and Vázquez y Reino for EPC services, as well as Tecinsa for substation construction. The initiative also supports local employment, with companies like Sidys from Albacete involved in turbine dismantling and wind turbine blade manufacturing in Daimiel, Ciudad Real.

This repowering initiative is part of Iberdrola’s participation in the Circular Repowering programme, which is backed by a €22.71 million grant from the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge through the Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving (IDAE). With these upgrades, Iberdrola España is continuing to advance its renewable energy goals and play a vital role in the decarbonization of the energy sector.

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Tel: +34 91 784 32 32
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SOURCE: Iberdrola