The first renewable producer in Europe and leader in the PPA market already has the relevant environmental and administrative licences and will begin the first phase of the repowering at the beginning of the new year. Once this initial stage is completed, which will require the company to invest close to 100 million euros, the wind farm will be more efficient, will produce more clean energy and will minimise the visual impact by reducing the number of wind turbines by 77%. The project has also been selected by the IDAE and will receive a grant of up to 4.6 million euros from the Next Generation European funds.
The Montes del Cierzo wind farm was promoted in 2000 by Enerfin (now part of Statkraft). Thanks to technological developments over the years, the repowered wind farms are not only more efficient and generate more clean electricity – contributing to the reduction of pollutant emissions – but also significantly reduce their visual impact on the landscape. These modern wind turbines are also quieter and have advanced systems for the protection of birdlife, such as detection and stop radars to avoid collisions. This renovation process allows the company to continue to make the most of the best locations, in terms of wind resource and existing electricity infrastructure development, in a more efficient way and reducing its impact on the environment.
Statkraft, which expects this repowering to come into operation in the second half of 2026, is also making progress in the administrative process for the repowering of the last phase, which could begin its decommissioning work in the second half of 2025. The company expects to create around 80 jobs, direct and indirect, in the development of the first phase of the repowering.
In any case, the new repowering project promoted by this firm comes after the success achieved at the Malpica wind farm, located in the municipality of the same name in Galicia. There, at the end of 2017, the company completed the repowering of this renewable facility, reducing the number of wind turbines used by almost 90% and doubling its production.
THE RENEWABLE ECOSYSTEM OF NAVARRA
Navarre is a pioneer and European benchmark in the production of renewable energies, with a historic technological and industrial commitment that has driven the development of new global standards in wind energy.
This sector is the third most important in the region, after the automotive and agri-food industries, and has a solid industrial network made up of more than 110 companies, which represent 10% of industrial employment and generate a turnover of 4,500 million euros, equivalent to 5% of the region’s GDP. It is also the second largest export sector in Navarre, mainly in the manufacture of wind turbines and their components.
The existing dense industrial fabric covers all links in the value chain, including a large renewable energy operator, Acciona Energía, and two large OEMs: Siemens Gamesa and Nordex-Acciona Windpower. There is also a group of SMEs that provide high added value in specific components such as blades, control systems, bearings and gearboxes. All those interested in further information on the renewable energy ecosystem in the region can do so by clicking on this link.
Source: Diario de Navarra