Capital Energy strengthens its social commitment to Navarra by signing a new agreement pursuant to its Territories Project

The Mayor of Ujué, Rubén Sánchez Remón, shakes hands with the head of Promotion in Navarra of Capital Energy, Beatriz Talaverano.

The company has signed an agreement Ujué Municipal Government linked to the commissioning of the Los Corrales wind farm, which will have an installed capacity of 85 MW 

• The company and the municipal government will promote interventions tailored to the needs of Ujué and framed within specific lines of action, including the improvement of infrastructure and services, connectivity and digitalisation, protection of the artistic and cultural heritage, education, health and social and occupational integration of disadvantaged groups
• The Territories Project combines Capital Energy’s contribution to the decarbonisation of the economy and the transformation of the energy model with its desire to help foster the development of Spain’s regions, harnessing local talent and nurturing their social, industrial and business fabric

Ujué (Navarra), 13 April 2022.- Capital Energy, a Spanish energy company founded two decades ago with the aim of becoming the first vertically-integrated, 100%-renewable energy company in the Iberian Peninsula, further evidences its commitment to the socio-economic development of Navarra, one of the pivotal regions for the consolidation of its clean energy project.

The company has signed a collaboration agreement with the Municipal Government of Ujué within the framework of its Territories Project. It is the second such agreement in the region (the tenth in Spain), combining its contribution to the decarbonisation of the economy and the transformation of the energy model with its desire to help foster the development of Spain’s regions, harnessing local talent and nurturing each area’s social, industrial and business fabric.

Through this latest agreement, Capital Energy undertakes to foster various actions during the construction of Los Corrales wind farm, agreed between the two parties and tailored to the municipality’s needs. These interventions will be implemented within the framework of specific action lines, including the improvement of infrastructure and services, connectivity and digitalisation, protection of artistic and cultural heritage, education, health and socio-occupational integration of disadvantaged groups.

Indeed, some beneficial initiatives for the inhabitants of Ujué are already in the pipeline, such as the protection of the archaeological dig being carried out in the Castillazo area, the creation of a public recreational area for residents and tourists, the roofing of the municipal frontón or pelota court so that it can host public events, and the refurbishment of the municipal games library.

Likewise, the collaboration between the local government and the renewable energy group will persist in the operating and maintenance phase of the renewable asset, as they will continue to carry out initiatives that fulfil the aforementioned requirements. This agreement underscores the commitment of the municipal government and the company to contribute to the sustainable development of Ujué through actions that effectively improve the quality of life of the residents and the surrounding community.

The mayor of Ujué, Rubén Sánchez Remón, stated that, "Both the construction of Los Corrales and this agreement represent a significant boost to the town’s social and economic development, as they will expand the range of services offered to local residents and help to reduce the impact of depopulation. Ujué is actually one of the Navarra towns most dogged by this issue, having lost nearly 90% of its inhabitants in the last 60 years.” He added that, "The launch of renewable assets such as this one is also essential for rural areas to be able to take part in decarbonising the economy and the energy mix and in combating climate change.”

Los Corrales will have an installed capacity of approximately 85 megawatts (MW) and will be able to generate around 300,000 megawatt hours (MWh) of clean electricity each year, equivalent to the consumption of more than 110,000 Navarra households. It will also avoid the atmospheric emission of around 110,000 tonnes of CO₂.

The construction of this wind farm and its power evacuation infrastructure, which will be located in the municipalities of Ujué, Olite and Pitillas, will entail an investment of more than 100 million euros and will create close to 450 jobs at the peak of the construction period. During the operating and maintenance phase, it is expected to provide permanent employment to some 13 professionals from the area and it will also generate approximately 10 indirect jobs.

Moreover, this renewable asset will add around 250,000 euros to the local coffers every year throughout its useful life and will contribute more than 2.4 million euros to GDP. In addition to this recurring sum is the one-off payment of local building tax (ICIO), which will amount to 4.4 million euros.

The Territories Project, differential value

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

To achieve this, and as it has done in Ujué, the company pledges to earmark specific finance during the construction and operation phases of its renewable energy assets for the implementation of actions agreed with the various local stakeholders. Based on this differential approach, the group will consider the specific characteristics and needs of each of the regions when selecting these initiatives.

The Territories Project commenced when the company signed a collaboration agreement with the Municipal Government of Lebrija, in the province of Seville, where it is building the Loma de los Pinos wind farm. The renewables group then broadened the scope of this initiative to other Spanish regions, such as Galicia -Fontemourente rural residents’ association (CMVMC) and Baralla Municipal Government; Andalusia-Jerez de la Frontera Municipal Government; Aragón -Maella Municipal Government (Zaragoza) and local councils of Fuendejalón, Ainzón and Bureta; and Navarra -Eslava Municipal Government.

These actions show Capital Energy’s commitment to accompanying the implementation of its renewable energy projects in Spain and Portugal with the launch of social and environmental action programmes tailored to local needs, to maximise its contribution to the socio-economic progress of all the territories where it operates.

About Capital Energy

In keeping with its commitment to the Green and Fair Energy Transition, Capital Energy currently has a portfolio of wind and solar energy projects in the Iberian Peninsula amounting to around 30 gigawatts (GW) of power, for which over 8 GW already have grid access licences granted.

Capital Energy reached its strategic goal of being present throughout the entire renewable energy generation value chain: from promotion, where the company has a consolidated position thanks to its nearly 20-year history, through to construction, production, storage, operation and supply. The company has 16 offices in Spain and Portugal, where around 360 employees work.