Wind Energy

FCC commences construction of its concentrating solar thermal power plant in Villena

Alberto Fabra, President of the Valencia regional government, and Baldomero Falcones, Chairman of FCC, laid the solar energy plant’s first stone. The concentrating solar power plant, which will have an installed capacity of 50 MW, will cost 240 million euro.

FCC’s Energy division has a new project. Alberto Fabra, President of the Valencia regional government, and Baldomero Falcones, Chairman of FCC, celebrated the groundbreaking ceremony today for the solar thermal energy plant that FCC Group’s Energy division is building in the city of Villena, in Alicante province.

After visiting the site, Baldomero Falcones announced that construction of the new plant would create 750 direct and indirect jobs over the next two years. The 50 MW solar thermal energy plant will produce 110,000 MWh of electricity per year and cost 240 million euro to build.

Mr Fabra expressed his gratitude to FCC, the Citizen Services group, for its investment in the region, its firm commitment to alternative energies, and its role in creating jobs. He also noted that "this first solar thermal plant joins other initiatives implemented by the regional government to promote the use of renewable energies and new technologies, saving and diversification in the energy field."

High level of insolation

The solar thermal power plant is located at the southwest edge of the Alhorines Valley, in Villena (Alicante). The area has one of the highest levels of insolation in the Valencia region, receiving 1,900 kWh/m2 per year. The plant, which will span 230 hectares, is located close to major highways, including the A-31, the N-344, and the CV-656.

Construction is partially affected by two other large infrastructure projects currently under way in the area: the Jumilla-Font de la Figuera section of the A-33 highway and the Madrid-Alicante high-speed railway.

Close to 1,000 MW of installed capacity

FCC Energy manages around 1,000 MW of installed capacity at its plants in Great Britain, Central and Eastern Europe and Spain. Outside Spain, the division has two energy-from-waste plants, in Allington and Eastcroft (UK), and is also involved in wind farm development there.

In Spain, the company also manages the 50 MW Palma del Río solar thermal energy plant (Córdoba), and it has 420 MW in wind capacity and 20 MW in photovoltaic capacity.

www.fcc.es/