Fregenal de la Sierra:Abu Dhabi Masdar and Endesa have commenced the construction of three significant battery energy storage projects in Spain, collectively valued at £25.2 million. These initiatives will enhance solar power plants located in Extremadura and Andalusia by adding a total of 60.16 megawatts (MW) of battery storage capacity and 120.34 megawatt-hours (MWh) of storage capacity.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the three projects are projected to be operational by the end of 2027. The Ardila project will deliver 36.10 MW (72.20 MWh) of storage capacity using 12 battery containers, matching the daily electricity requirements of approximately 8,100 Spanish households. Meanwhile, La Vega I and La Vega II will each contribute 12.03 MW (24.07 MWh) of storage capacity with four battery containers at each site, together catering to the daily electricity needs of around 5,400 households.
The Ardila project is based at the 44-megawatt-peak (MWp) solar plant in Fregenal de la Sierra, Badajoz, while La Vega I and II are situated at solar plants in Teba, Málaga. These battery systems will store part of the electricity generated by the plants, thereby facilitating the integration of more renewable energy into the grid and enhancing the electricity system's flexibility.
These projects represent the inaugural energy storage developments under the Masdar-Endesa partnership, which began in 2024 after Masdar acquired a stake in Endesa's photovoltaic assets in Spain. Masdar currently operates 4.1 gigawatts (GW) of capacity across the Iberian Peninsula, with an additional 1 GW under development. The projects align with Masdar's strategy to collaborate with industry leaders to expand renewable energy globally, aiming for 100 GW of global capacity by 2030.