Iberdrola has started the commissioning phase of the Francisco Pizarro project in Extremadura, Spain. Located between the municipalities of Torrecillas de la Tiesta and Aldeacentenera (Cáceres), the plant has an installed capacity of 590 MW.
The Francisco Pizarro plant is made up of nearly 1.5 million photovoltaic (PV) modules that will generate enough clean energy to power more than 334,000 homes – more than the populations of Badajoz, Cáceres, Plasencia and Don Benito, Spain combined – and will prevent the emission of 150,000 tpy of CO2 in the air.
The project, which required an investment of more than 300 million euros, created more than 1,500 jobs during peak construction periods, 60% of which were occupied by local workers.
Iberdrola has guaranteed the feasibility of the project through long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) with leading companies in different sectors and will supply 100% renewable electricity to Danone, Bayer and PepsiCo to cover the energy needs of their factories in Spain.
These contracts stabilize investments and have become an optimal tool for managing the electricity supply of major customers committed to accelerating the energy transition to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and who are dedicated to clean and sustainable consumption.
Protecting the environment and cultural heritage
Francisco Pizarro’s photovoltaic plant is an example of new renewable developments that respect the environment and cultural heritage. During the execution of the project, Iberdrola declares that it has guaranteed at all times the preservation of the natural environment and of the archaeological remains discovered during the implantation of the project.
Exploration work has revealed 20 rock formations with carvings and pictographs, mostly prehistoric art, and three archaeological sites dating from the ancient and medieval periods.
After the discovery, the company took all necessary measures to monitor, excavate and safeguard the remains.
Regarding environmental protection, specific measures have been taken to improve forest wildlife habitats, including a controlled breeding center for rabbit breeding, the installation of nesting boxes and the creation of protection areas for feeding. birds. In addition, Iberdrola has contributed to the Extremadura grassland bird monitoring campaign carried out by the Spanish Society of Ornithology (SEO/Birdlife), identifying and protecting a breeding area for these birds, in particular the common bustard.
In addition, the factory applies an environmental integration plan that allows the land to be used as pasture for raising sheep in the area.
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