Iberdrola expands solar footprint in Portugal

Spain based Iberdrola has expanded Portugal’s renewable energy capacity by completing the Montechoro I and II photovoltaic plants in the Algarve, adding 37 MW of power with an annual production capacity of 56.84 GWh. According to the company, these plants, awarded in a 2019 auction, use 64,554 bifacial panels to generate energy for approximately 19,000 households, reducing CO2 emissions by over 21,000 tonnes annually. The €30 million project created 200 jobs and boosted the local economy by involving regional suppliers in constructing grid connections and substations. Iberdrola’s environmental initiatives include preserving the Gruta Pequena do Escarpão, creating habitats for various species, and managing forests to protect against rural fires, aligning with the Albufeira Municipal Forest Fire Defence Plan.