Capital Energy signs two new Territories Projects in Soria with the local councils of Serón de Nágima and Torlengua
Both agreements are linked to the development of the Pedrecha and San Cristóbal wind farms and the line linking the Pedrecha and Terrer substations
- This initiative combines the company’s contribution towards the decarbonisation of the economy and transformation of the energy model, through the commissioning of renewable energy facilities, with its desire to promote regional growth through local talent and promotion of its social, industrial and business network
Soria, 8 August 2022.- Capital Energy, a Spanish energy company established two decades ago that seeks to become the first vertically-integrated 100% renewable energy operator in the Iberian peninsula, is strengthening its commitment to the socio-economic development of Castilla y Leon, a vital community for the implementation of its clean energy project.
The company has signed two new collaboration agreements in the region, and more specifically in the province of Soria, with the local councils of Serón de Nágima and Torlengua, 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 network of each area.
In the case of Serón de Nágima, through the construction of the Pedrecha and San Cristóbal wind farms and the 400 kilovolt (kV) high-voltage line that will link the Pedrecha and Terrer substations, Capital Energy has undertaken to promote different actions agreed to between both parties that will be adapted to meet the needs of this locality in Soria.
The agreement with Torlengua is exclusively linked to the implementation of the aforementioned transport infrastructure, which will deliver the grid with the energy produced by a 148.5 megawatt (MW) wind farm cluster composed, among others, of the aforementioned wind farms and that will pass not only through Serón de Nágima and Torlengua but also the municipalities of Velilla de los Ajos and Cihuela in the province of Soria, and Bordalba, Embid de Ariza, Cetina, Contaminamina, Alhama de Aragón, Bubierca, Ateca and Terrer in Zaragoza. The company and local council will also assess actions that help improve the quality of life of their inhabitants.
In both cases, the initiatives implemented will be part of specific lines of action, including the improvement of infrastructures and services, connectivity and digitisation, protection of artistic and cultural heritage, education, health, and social and labour integration of disadvantaged groups. In fact, certain proposals beneficial to the inhabitants of these towns are already being considered, such as the restoration of the municipal pavement in Serón de Nágima, and the construction of a homeless shelter in Torlengua.
The partnership between the councils and the renewable energy group will also continue throughout the operation and maintenance phase of these infrastructures, with the rollout of actions that meet the above requirements. Through this agreement, all parties reaffirm their interest in contributing to the sustainable development of both municipalities through actions that ensure the effective improvement of the environment.
The San Cristóbal wind farm will be located in towns of Nolay, Velilla de los Ajos, Bliecos and Serón de Nágima in Soria, and will have a total capacity of 54 MW. This renewable facility will be capable of producing around 180,000 megawatt hours (MWh) per year of clean electricity, enough to supply over 70,000 households, while avoiding the emission of around 66,500 tonnes of CO2.
Pedrecha, located in the municipalities of Maján, Cañamaque, Serón de Nágima and Velilla de los Ajos, will also have a capacity of 54 MW, with which it will be able to produce around 165,000 MWh each year, sufficient to supply almost 65,000 homes in Soria. It will also prevent the annual emission into the atmosphere of over 61,000 tonnes of CO2.
The construction of these wind farms will create around 500 direct jobs during peak periods and will mobilise an investment of €140 million. In the operation and maintenance phase it will provide permanent employment for 14 local professionals and will create of around 10 indirect jobs.
Every year during their useful life, San Cristóbal and Pedrecha will have a tax impact in excess of 400,000 euros on the local coffers, which will also receive the one-off payment of the ICIO tax on building, installations and other works and other taxes in excess of 3 million euros. They will also contribute more than €3 million to GDP each year.
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 enterprise is committed to allocating specific financial items during the construction and operation phases of its renewable energy facilities to implementing the actions agreed to with the different local stakeholders. This different approach will see the group consider the specificities and needs of each region in the selection of initiatives.
Through 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.
Castilla y Leon, key to Capital Energy
Castilla y Leon is the hub of Capital Energy’s clean energy project. It is no coincidence that the company has implemented 46 renewable energy projects in the region, totalling a combined installed capacity of over 3,300 MW, more than 2,800 MW of wind power, and around 500 MW of solar power. It should be stressed that the company plans to install more than half its wind farms in so-called fair energy transition catchment areas, such as Compostilla and La Robla in the province of León or the Alfoz district in Burgos, which will benefit from their positive impact.
The construction of this entire portfolio would involve an overall investment of more than €3 billion, and the creation of almost 11,000 direct jobs, a tax contribution of over €60 million during the construction stage, and a contribution to GDP of €850 million.
During the operation and maintenance of these facilities, Capital Energy would provide stable, quality employment for around 420 professionals and would generate an annual economic impact of around €14.5 million, through local and regional taxes. It would also contribute more than €85 million to GDP each year.
This renewable capacity could generate 9.5 TWh per year, enough to cover the energy consumption of around 3.6 million households. Almost 3.5 million tonnes of CO2 would also be prevented from being released into the atmosphere.
The locations of these facilities in seven of the nine provinces - Soria, León, Ávila, Valladolid, Zamora, Palencia and Burgos - have been selected following a multi-criteria analysis of all the variables involved (environmental, technical, urban planning, heritage, social, etc.) and having extensively reviewed all current laws and regulations.
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 over 30 gigawatts (GW) of power, with more than 8.5 GW already awarded grid access permits.
Capital Energy has achieved its strategic goal of being present along the entire value chain of renewable generation: from design, where the enterprise has a consolidated position thanks to its 20-year track record, to construction, production, storage, operation and supply. The company has 15 offices in Spain and Portugal, with almost 360 employees.