Iberdrola España begins commissioning of its Ciudad Rodrigo photovoltaic plant (Salamanca)

Iberdrola España has begun commissioning its photovoltaic plant in Ciudad Rodrigo, the company’s second facility in the province of Salamanca and one of the largest in Castilla y León. With 316 MW of capacity, once fully operational the plant will generate clean energy to supply more than 155,000 households — equivalent to a population larger than that of Valladolid — while avoiding 75,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually.

The solar farm, developed as part of the alliance with Norges Bank, spans 439 hectares across the Valdecarros area and the Sierra de Torralba. It consists of more than 460,000 photovoltaic modules, with an investment of €200 million and the creation of 800 jobs at peak construction.

The construction phase involved extensive participation of local suppliers. Examples include Tecinsa, a local engineering company that built the transformer substation; Perez Coco, which supplied cranes; Solar B-Max, responsible for mechanical assembly; and the firms Montero, Sierra de Francia, and Sánchez Cepa, which supplied concrete (the latter also providing aggregates). Additionally, La Ilustración and La Serrana supplied gravel and sand; Maderas Caeval carried out vegetation clearing; and Cubas Goyo provided irrigation services.

Through investment in renewable energy, Iberdrola España not only contributes to the environment and the future, but also fosters coexistence by promoting biodiversity conservation, protecting flora and fauna, and supporting cultural heritage and the development of rural Spain.

In this project, Iberdrola España will restore Habitats of Community Interest (HCI), build a new pond to complement the area’s hydrological network — given the importance of local amphibian populations — monitor and maintain existing ponds, and install a green screen along the perimeter of the solar plant.

For fauna conservation, the company will install insect hotels to encourage pollinators and other invertebrates, nest boxes for lesser kestrels, and refuges for wild rabbits.

On the cultural side, Iberdrola España has agreed with the City Council of Ciudad Rodrigo to refurbish the main access areas to the Cathedral and has sponsored the “Astróbriga Solar System,” a 1:290,000,000 scale reproduction of the solar system. This initiative promotes tourism in the region while also supporting educational and scientific outreach activities.