Wind Energy

Torresol Energy plans a USD 5 billion concentrated solar power plant

Torresol Energy, a JV between Spain’s Sener and Abu Dhabi’s Masdar, plans to invest up to $5bn in the short-term to build concentrating solar thermal power plants (CSP) in Spain, the US and the Middle East.

Enrique Sendagorta said the company was aiming to add about 6,000 megawatts (MW) of capacity over the next three years and that one of concentrated solar energy the plants could be built in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates.

"We are developing a pipeline of projects in Spain, the U.S. and in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region," he said at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi. "The investment would range between $3.5bn to $5bn," he said.

Enrique Sendagorta said the firm is optimistic of securing funding for the upcoming solar thermal projects despite tough market conditions.

"Foreign banks are financing solar energy plants because it represents a steady cash flow," he said.

Torresol Energy, a 60/40 joint venture between Sener and Abu Dhabi government owned green energy firm Masdar, connected two new 50 MW solar plants in Spain to the grid earlier this month.

Between them, Valle 1 and Valle 2 are expected to produce 160 gigawatt hours (GWh) of carbon-free electricity a year. Oil-rich Abu Dhabi is aiming to get seven percent of its electricity from renewables by 2030.

www.torresolenergy.com