Capital Energy obtains EIS for first renewable project in Castile-La Mancha the 51 MW La Herrada wind farm
The clean electricity facility faces its final processing stage after achieving this important administrative milestone
- 10 wind turbines in the Albacete-based infrastructure will supply clean electricity to 56,000 homes and prevent the emission of 55,000 tonnes of CO2 per year
- La Herrada will provide over 170 direct jobs during peak periods and stable, quality employment in the operation and maintenance phase for seven local workers
- Capital Energy currently has a wind and solar portfolio on the Iberian Peninsula of 35 gigawatts (GW) of power, with more than 8.7 GW already awarded grid access permits
Albacete, 29 December 2021.- Capital Energy, the Spanish energy enterprise founded in 2002 that aims to become the first vertically integrated 100% renewable energy operator on the Iberian peninsula, has just taken a very significant step towards launching its clean electricity project in Castile-La Mancha.
The Ministry for the Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge (Miterd) has awarded the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the La Herrada wind farm the company is developing in the Albacete town of Montealegre del Castillo. After achieving this important administrative milestone, the project faces the final stage in its processing, needing only to obtain prior administrative authorisation and construction administrative authorisation to apply for a building and installation licence.
La Herrada will have an installed power of 51 megawatts (MW) distributed into 10 wind turbines with a capacity of 5.1 MW each, and its commissioning will involve an investment of some €53 Mn. The farm will be able to produce 149,000 megawatt hours (MWh) per year, enough to provide around 56,000 local homes with clean electricity. It will also prevent the emission of some 55,000 tonnes of CO2 a year.
The construction of this renewable facility will create more than 170 direct jobs during peak periods. In the operation and maintenance phase it will provide stable, quality employment for seven local workers and contribute to the creation of around six indirect jobs.
La Herrada will make a lifetime contribution to GDP of nearly €1.4 Mn per year and an annual tax contribution to the local coffers (Montealegre del Castillo) of more than €150,000. A one-off payment of the ICIO tax on building, installations and other works possibly in excess of €1 Mn will be added to this recurring amount.
During construction and throughout the life of its first wind farm in Castile-La Mancha, Capital Energy will implement a series of preventive, corrective and compensatory measures in line with its commitment to protect biodiversity. The enterprise will replant on other land the same number of plant species affected by the works.
With regards wildlife, the group will implement an automated system in the wind turbines to detect the approach of birds and bats and activate effective anti-collision measures, i.e., emitting deterrent signals or implementing automatic stops. It also plans to lease 20 hectares of farmland and pivot it to the needs of steppe birds.
With regards the safeguarding of cultural heritage, of note is the archaeological control and monitoring plan the firm will implement during the works in collaboration with the Albacete Provincial Delegation for Education, Culture and Sports. It will also establish a protection perimeter of some five metres around any ethnological elements found during the preliminary survey works.
A portfolio of around 35 GW on the Iberian Peninsula
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 35 gigawatts (GW) of power, with more than 8.7 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. The company has around 400 employees in 16 offices around Spain and Portugal.