The transition to a cleaner energy model inevitably involves addressing the intermittency of renewable energy sources. The sun doesn't always shine and the wind doesn't always blow, so storing surplus electricity for use when it's most needed has become crucial. In this context, Acciona Energía has announced the construction of two new battery storage facilities in Spain, specifically in the provinces of Cuenca and Palencia, with the aim of further decarbonizing the electricity system.
The company, which already has a distinguished track record in the sector, expects both projects to be operational by the end of 2027. With an investment that has not been specified, these infrastructures will allow for better management of renewable energy generation and provide flexibility to the grid , a factor increasingly demanded by operators. Let's look at the details of each.
Two new projects in Cuenca and Palencia
The largest project will be located next to the 50 MWp Bolarque photovoltaic plant, situated in the municipality of Villalba del Rey (Cuenca). This system will have a power output of 20 MW and a storage capacity of 40 MWh , thanks to a two-hour discharge time. The installation is designed to absorb excess solar energy during the middle of the day and release it when demand requires it.
The second project, more modest but equally important, will be built next to the 22 MW El Cuadrón wind farm, in the Palencia municipalities of Hornillos de Cerrato and Torquemada. The battery will have a capacity of 13 MW and 26 MWh , also providing two hours of autonomy. In total, both installations will add 33 MW of power and 66 MWh of storage, a significant boost to Spain's renewable energy sector.
A boost to the integration of renewables
The rationale behind these projects is clear: they allow energy to be stored during periods of high production and fed into the grid when generation drops or consumption spikes . This not only helps stabilize the electrical system but also reduces dependence on fossil fuels, which have traditionally met peak demand. Acciona Energía emphasizes that energy storage is a fundamental pillar for achieving a 100% renewable electricity mix.
Furthermore, hybridizing batteries with solar and wind power plants optimizes the use of existing infrastructure. Instead of building new transmission lines, the capacity already available is leveraged to manage energy more efficiently. This strategy is becoming increasingly common in Spain and Europe, and projects like those announced now reinforce the Iberian Peninsula's role as a laboratory for advanced energy solutions.
Acciona's track record in storage
This isn't the first time Acciona Energía has invested in this technology. The company pioneered it in 2017 with the commissioning of the first hybrid battery storage plant integrated into a grid-connected wind farm in Barásoain (Navarra). That experience laid the groundwork for subsequent developments , and in 2024 it took another step forward by incorporating a system using recycled electric vehicle batteries into its Extremadura III photovoltaic plant in Almendralejo (Badajoz).
These precedents demonstrate that the company not only has the technical capacity but also a long-term vision regarding the role of energy storage in the energy transition. The new projects in Cuenca and Palencia add to a portfolio that already includes initiatives in other markets , although the current focus is on consolidating its presence in Spain, where battery deployment still has considerable room for growth.
In short, these two facilities are not an isolated case, but rather part of an unstoppable trend. Battery storage has become an essential tool for guaranteeing electricity supply and accelerating decarbonization . With operations scheduled to begin in 2027, Acciona Energía is reinforcing its commitment to a cleaner, more reliable energy system, better prepared for the challenges of the future.
