Concentrating solar power: Abengoa commissions 50 MW plant in Spain

Abengoa’s first Concentrating Solar Power plant at the Castilla-La Mancha Solar Complex. Abengoa has become the world leader in installed concentrated solar power capacity with a total of 593 MW in commercial operation and 1,060 MW of solar thermal under construction throughout Europe, America and Africa.

Abengoa (MCE: ABG) has begun operation of Helios 1, the first of the two parabolic trough concentrating solar thermal power plants in the Castilla-La Mancha Solar Complex. The complex, located in the municipalities of Arenas de San Juan, Villarta de San Juan, and Puerto Lápice, province of Ciudad Real (Castilla-La Mancha), is made up of two identical 50 MW plants.

Helios 1 has a total of 360 collectors covering approximately 110 hectares (280 acres), which is the equivalent of more than 150 soccer fields. The plant will produce enough energy to serve 26,000 Spanish households.

In line with the Abengoa’s commitment regarding the environment and sustainability, the power station will result in a significant reduction in energy and fuel use. Furthermore, the facility will abate the emission of 31,400 tons of CO2 per year.

Abengoa has become the world leader in installed solar capacity with a total of 593 MW in commercial operation and 1,060 MW under construction throughout Europe, America and Africa.

www.abengoa.com