The energy transition is progressing rapidly, and energy storage has become a key component for ensuring the stability of the electricity grid. In this context, Acciona EnergĂa has announced the installation of two new battery energy storage (BESS) projects in the provinces of Cuenca and Palencia, with a total capacity of approximately 33 megawatts (MW). According to the company, both facilities are scheduled to be commissioned by the end of 2027.
These systems complement the group's growing commitment to battery storage, which is revolutionizing the energy landscape in Spain as a fundamental tool for integrating renewable energies. The ability to store electricity during periods of high generation and release it when demand increases or production falls is essential for managing the intermittency of sources such as solar and wind power , reducing dependence on fossil fuels, and strengthening the security of the national electricity supply.
Two new storage projects in Cuenca and Palencia
The first project will be located next to the 50 MWp Bolarque photovoltaic plant in the municipality of Villalba del Rey (Cuenca). This installation will have a capacity of 20 MW and a storage capacity of two hours , equivalent to 40 MWh of available energy. This configuration will allow for the management of peak solar production and the injection of electricity into the grid during periods of lower solar radiation, thus optimizing the use of clean energy.
The second system will be built adjacent to the 22 MW El CuadrĂłn wind farm, located between the municipalities of Hornillos de Cerrato and Torquemada in Palencia province. With 13 MW of power and two hours of storage capacity (26 MWh), this battery will help mitigate the inherent intermittency of wind power generation, allowing surplus energy to be stored when the wind is strong and released when demand requires it.
The importance of storage for the integration of renewables
BESS systems have become an essential tool for the massive deployment of renewable energy in Spain. This technology compensates for the variable nature of solar and wind power generation , which depends on weather conditions and does not produce electricity constantly throughout the day. By storing surplus energy during peak production hours and releasing it when demand increases or generation decreases, the use of clean energy is optimized and the need for fossil fuel-based backup power plants is reduced.
Furthermore, energy storage helps stabilize the electricity grid, improving the quality of supply and facilitating the integration of larger volumes of renewables without compromising reliability. In this regard, the projects announced by Acciona EnergĂa in Cuenca and Palencia will act as a natural complement to solar and wind power plants , maximizing their contribution to the energy mix and strengthening the security of the national electricity system.
Acciona's track record in storage in Spain
The company has a significant track record in developing energy storage solutions in Spain. In 2017, Acciona pioneered the first hybrid battery storage plant integrated into a grid-connected wind farm in Barásoain (Navarra) . This experience laid the groundwork for the development of technologies that are now being scaled up in numerous projects.
More recently, in 2024, the company installed a storage system using recycled batteries from electric vehicles at its Extremadura III photovoltaic plant, located in Almendralejo (Badajoz). This initiative combines the circular economy with the energy transition, giving a second life to components that would otherwise be discarded. This track record reinforces Acciona's strategy to position itself as a key player in energy storage in Spain , a segment expected to experience significant growth in the coming years.
International expansion of storage
Acciona EnergĂa's commitment to batteries is not limited to the Spanish market. Internationally, the company has consolidated its presence with large-scale projects. In Texas (United States), the Cunningham project stands out: a 190 MW, 380 MWh battery connected to the state's electrical grid , one of the largest in the state. In Chile, it is building a 200 MW/1 GWh battery integrated into the Atacama mega-battery in the Atacama Desert.
Furthermore, it recently announced the construction of another 196 MW/980 MWh storage project at the El Romero photovoltaic plant , also in Chile, which is scheduled to become operational by the end of 2027. These moves demonstrate that Acciona EnergĂa is diversifying its technology and combining renewable generation with storage to offer more flexible and efficient energy solutions, both in Spain and abroad.
With these new projects in Cuenca and Palencia, the company reinforces its commitment to energy storage as a strategic pillar for decarbonizing the electricity system and ensuring a clean, stable, and resilient supply. The combination of solar, wind, and battery energy is emerging as the most effective solution for addressing the challenges of the energy transition, and Acciona EnergĂa is at the forefront of this development.
