ACCIONA Energía commissions new wind-solar hybrid plant in Cuenca

ACCIONA Energía has completed its second hybrid renewable energy facility by adding a 19.7 megawatt-peak (MWp) photovoltaic plant to the existing 26 MW Peralejo wind farm, located in the municipalities of Villalba del Rey and Tinajas in Cuenca.

The new Peralejo solar plant will generate 37 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of clean electricity annually, equivalent to the consumption of more than 10,600 homes. This energy production adds to that already generated by the Peralejo wind farm, bringing the hybrid facility’s total capacity to supply 26,000 homes. Furthermore, this initiative prevents the emission of over 38,000 tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂) each year, which is equivalent to planting more than two million trees or taking 15,000 cars off the road.

Infrastructure Optimization

The centralization of two renewable technologies within the same infrastructure optimizes the use of the electrical grid. Combining wind and solar energy reduces dependence on weather conditions, ensuring a more consistent and stable energy output. Moreover, sharing existing infrastructure avoids the need to build new power lines, substations, facilities, and access points, reducing the environmental impact compared to developing separate projects.

Economic and Social Impact

The commissioning of the Peralejo photovoltaic plant created over 100 jobs during its construction phase. Additionally, the project includes a Social Impact Management program that ACCIONA Energía implements at all its facilities to generate positive impacts in local communities. Through this program, the company reinvests a portion of its annual revenues to support initiatives in education, welfare, and environmental protection.

Specifically, in Villalba del Rey, ACCIONA Energía has launched a program to revitalize the Santos Sebastián e Isidro olive oil Cooperative, one of the main economic drivers of the municipality. The company also finances several measures to improve the production and efficiency of this cooperative. Furthermore, ACCIONA Energía sponsored the II Children’s Indoor Football Tournament, in which about 90 children from surrounding villages participated. The company also organized various activities at the Tinajas Association of Retired and Pensioners and is funding upgrades to its facilities.

Previous Hybrid Projects and Future Development

The hybridization of Peralejo is added to ACCIONA Energía’s first hybrid project, Escepar, which combines a 29.4 MWp solar plant and a 36 MW wind farm, as well as the 50 MWp Bolarque photovoltaic plant already operational in Villalba del Rey and Tinajas. These initiatives place the two municipalities at the forefront of renewable energy development in the Cuenca province, demonstrating ACCIONA Energía’s commitment to a sustainable and innovative energy transition.

By integrating complementary technologies, ACCIONA Energía strengthens its energy diversification strategy while minimizing environmental impacts and maximizing social and economic benefits for local communities. This hybrid approach serves as a model for other energy companies looking to optimize their projects while adhering to sustainability and social responsibility principles.