Capital Energy signs first Territories Project agreement in Aragon with Maella municipality

Company and municipality to promote initiatives adapted to town’s needs during Paucali wind farm development and commissioning 

• Initiative combines Capital Energy’s contribution to decarbonisation of economy and transformation of energy model with its desire to promote regional growth by leveraging local talent and bolstering social, industrial and business fabric
• Group to invest over €1.1 Bn and create 4,200-plus jobs in Aragon with launch of a dozen local renewable projects totalling more than 1,100 MW

Maella (Zaragoza province), 24 January 2022.- Capital Energy, the Spanish energy company founded two decades ago that aims to become the first vertically integrated 100% renewable energy operator on the Iberian peninsula, has again shown its commitment to the socioeconomic development of Aragon.

The company has signed the first collaboration agreement in Aragon and third in Spain linked to its Territories Project that combines its contribution to the decarbonisation of the economy and transformation of the energy model with its desire to promote the growth of the different regions by leveraging local talent and bolstering the social, industrial and business fabric of each area.

To this end, Capital Energy has closed a deal with the municipal authorities of Maella, a town in Zaragoza province where it plans to install the Paucali wind farm, undertaking to promote several initiatives agreed on by the parties and adapted to the town’s needs during the construction of this renewable infrastructure.

The actions will be framed within dedicated work areas, including the improvement of infrastructures and services, connectivity and digitalization, protection of artistic and cultural heritage, education, health and the social and labour integration of disadvantaged groups.

A number of initiatives are already on the table, including the restoration of the local castle, repair of the town’s sports facilities, expansion of the municipal pool and improvement of certain urban and country roads.

The partnership will continue throughout the farm’s operation and maintenance phase, with the rollout of initiatives that meet the abovementioned requirements. Through this agreement, town and company reaffirm their interest in contributing to sustainable development in Maella by promoting actions to improve resident quality of life and the town’s environment.

Paucali will feature 19 six-megawatt (MW) wind turbines, giving it a combined installed capacity of 114 MW and providing approximately 350 gigawatt hours (GWh) per year, enough to meet the energy demand of over 130,000 households. The farm’s development, which will prevent the emission of almost 129,000 tonnes of CO₂ per year, will mobilise a total investment of around €125 Mn and foster the creation of some 425 jobs during peak construction periods. In the operation and maintenance phase it is expected to provide permanent employment to some 16 local people and contribute to the creation of around 13 indirect jobs.

Paucali will make a lifetime contribution to GDP of around €3.5 Mn per year and an annual tax contribution to the local coffers of over €330,000. A one-off payment of the ICIO tax on building, installations and other works possibly in excess of €1.4 Mn will be added to this recurring amount. 

The Territories Project - a differential value

Through the Territories Project, Capital Energy is keen to articulate its commitment to sustainable development, become a neighbour in the regions where it operates and contribute to their social and economic growth.

To achieve this, the company undertakes, as it has in Maella, to allocate dedicated economic items during the construction and operation phases of its renewable assets to implement actions agreed with various local stakeholders. This differential approach will see the group consider the specificities and needs of each region in the selection of initiatives.

The Territories Project kicked off recently via the collaboration agreement the company signed with the municipal government of Lebrija, a town in Seville province where it is building its first Andalusian wind farm, Loma de los Pinos. The company signed the second agreement in Galicia, with the Fontemourente Community of Neighbouring Mountains in Mano Común (CMVMC), a village in Mazaricos (La Coruña province) where it plans to develop the Banzas wind farm.

With these actions, Capital Energy aims to pair the development of its renewable energy projects in Spain and Portugal with the launch of social and environmental action programmes pivoted to local needs to fully leverage its contribution to the socioeconomic progress of the places where it operates.

Firm commitment to Aragon

Capital Energy currently develops more than 1,100 MW of wind in the region, spread over 10 projects. With the implementation of this renewable capacity, involving a total investment of more than €1.1 Bn, the company will be able to cover the energy consumption of 1.4 million-plus households per year and prevent the annual emission of around 1.4 million tons of CO₂ by producing almost 3,800 GWh.

Full portfolio development will enable the group to become a major driving force in the community, as building the facilities will create more than 4,200 jobs and entail a tax contribution in excess of €15.5 Mn (through the payment of the ICIO tax on building, installations and other works) and a contribution to GDP of almost €340 Mn. In the operation and maintenance phase, the company will provide permanent, quality employment to around 160 local workers and the economic impact of its activity will translate into an annual tax contribution, via local and regional taxes, of over €3.3 Mn. It will also contribute some €39 Mn to GDP each year.

In addition to Paucali, the company has made progress in recent months in processing the wind farms of Argestes, Arlo and Cefiro (in the provinces  of Matarraña, Bajo Aragon and Bajo Aragon-Caspe), Biota and Muno (in the Cinco Villas area of Zaragoza province), Diana and Vientos del Sur (in Campo de Borja, Zaragoza province) and Las Mareas I and II (in Bajo Cinca, part of Huesca and Zaragoza provinces).

Capital Energy has an office in Zaragoza where it handles the growth of its clean energy project in the region, employs eight local people and is committed to the development of new storage technologies and green hydrogen. To that end it has joined the Board of Trustees of the Hydrogen Foundation of Aragon.

About Capital Energy

In line with its commitment to a green and fair energy transition, Capital Energy currently has a wind and solar portfolio on the Iberian Peninsula of around 34 gigawatts (GW) of power, with more than 8 GW already awarded grid access permits.

Capital Energy has delivered on its strategic goal of operating across the entire renewable energy value chain: from design, where it has a consolidated position thanks to its nearly 20-year track record, to construction, production, storage, operation and supply to end customers. The company already has 16 offices in Spain and Portugal.