Iberdrola España leads the way in renewable energy storage systems in Extremadura

Four Iberdrola España projects position Extremadura as a key region in the energy transition, combining technological innovation and sustainability. The energy company has been a pioneer in the deployment of battery storage systems and leads several projects in the region that exemplify the path forward in tackling the challenges of a greener, more sustainable energy model.

The Arañuelo III solar photovoltaic plant, located in Romangordo (Cáceres), marked a milestone as the first in Spain to integrate a battery storage system with 3 MW of power and 9 MWh of capacity connected to a solar installation.

This energy storage system maximizes the use of renewable energy by reducing surplus losses and facilitating its integration into the grid. It also enhances grid stability and provides support during periods of high demand, thanks to its near-instantaneous response capacity.

Arañuelo III is part of the Campo Arañuelo solar complex, which also includes the Arañuelo I and II plants — together totaling 143 MW of installed capacity. Arañuelo I and II were the first to go online and will now benefit from a new Iberdrola España project to equip them with storage systems like the one already operating at Arañuelo III.

In addition, the Valdecañas pumped-storage power station integrates a hybrid battery system that stores surplus energy generated by the dam and releases it when needed. The facility has a total power output of 225 MW and features a hybrid battery system with 15 MW of power and 7.5 MWh of stored energy.

The combination of battery and hydroelectric units at Valdecañas enables energy storage of up to 210 GWh — equivalent to 5.2 million electric vehicle batteries. As a result, the reversible pumped-storage plant operates like a giant battery, capable of storing energy during periods of excess production and releasing it when needed, all within a closed-loop system that consumes no water.