Iberdrola Inaugurates a Hybrid Power Plant

Iberdrola commissions the first hybrid wind-solar power plant in Australia to meet the demand for clean energy. This is the first power plant of its kind in the world.

The first hybrid plant

Iberdrola inaugurates its first hybrid wind and solar power plant in Australia with a total capacity of 317MW. This renewable facility, located in the state of South Australia, combines 210MW of wind energy and 107MW of photovoltaic energy. The project benefits from an investment of $500 million Australian.

With 50 wind turbines and 250,000 solar panels, the complex is the largest wind-solar farm in the southern hemisphere. The Iberdrola plant will avoid the emission of 400,000 tons of CO2 per year into the atmosphere. In addition, it will be able to generate clean energy for a demand equivalent to 180,000 homes.

Iberdrola’s project supports local transitions and economic development goals. Indeed, it generates 200 jobs during its construction and involves various local suppliers. It also meets South Australia’s ambitious targets of achieving 100% renewable energy by 2030.

A growing market

The country needs to move from a fossil fuel based generation system to a wind and solar based generation system. The company is investing in new projects for €700 million. For example, it already has the Avonlie solar farm in New South Wales and the Flyers Creek wind farm.

Iberdrola has a mature portfolio of more than 2,000MW of projects in the country. The company manages the rights to the 1000MW Mount James wind farm. The company also owns the 360MW Broadsound photovoltaic plant in Queensland.

Iberdrola plans to invest €3 billion to reach 4000MW in the coming years. The Spanish company has around 39,000 MW of renewable capacity worldwide. In addition, the company is looking to develop energy storage.