The Swiss energy group Axpo has officially launched its 200 MWp solar complex in VilechaA large photovoltaic installation located between the municipalities of Villadangos del Páramo and Cimanes de Tejar in León. After construction was completed at the end of 2025, the four plants that make up the project were connected to the national grid in early February 2026.
Since that date, the complex has already injecting renewable energy on a large scale to the Spanish electricity grid, consolidating its position as one of the largest operational solar plants within Axpo's portfolio in Europe. The inauguration also served to highlight the company's commitment to accelerating the energy transition in Spain and throughout the European Union.
A 200 MWp photovoltaic complex spread over four plants
Vilecha's project consists of four 50 MWp photovoltaic plants Each one is implemented simultaneously and connected to a common evacuation infrastructure. In total, the installed capacity reaches 200 MWp, making the complex a benchmark facility within the large-scale solar sector.
Over an approximate surface of 310 hectaresMore than 365.000 have been installed solar modulesThese panels are mounted on solar trackers that are oriented throughout the day to optimize radiation capture, a technical solution that allows for increased energy production compared to fixed configurations.
According to the company's estimates, the four plants will be capable of generating more than 377 GWh of electricity per yearThis energy would be enough to cover the annual electricity consumption of around 100.000 people, which gives an idea of the scale of the project in the context of the rise of solar power plants in the European and Spanish fields.
In addition to the production volume, Axpo highlights that the complex will allow to avoid the emission of approximately 75.000 tons of CO₂ annual savings compared to equivalent generation using conventional sources. This reduction in emissions contributes to the decarbonization targets set by both Spain and the European Union.
PPA agreements with major consumers: McDonald's Spain and Rockwool
A significant portion of the energy produced in Vilecha already has guaranteed exit through PPA contracts (long-term power purchase agreements) signed with large industrial and service sector consumers. These agreements provide stability to the project and security of supply to the purchasing companies.
Among the customers who will be supplied by this facility are McDonald's Spainwhich will receive 83 GWh of photovoltaic energy per year for a period of ten years. This volume will be used to cover the electricity consumption of the chain's restaurants participating in the agreement, reinforcing their carbon footprint reduction strategies.
Another of the major contracts signed is the one for Rockwool, a company specializing in rock wool insulation solutions. In its case, the PPA will come into effect at the beginning of 2027 and will last for a decade, during which time the company will purchase more than 450 GWh of renewable electricity from the León complex.
These long-term agreements illustrate how large-scale solar power plants They are becoming a key tool for European companies to meet their sustainability commitments. At the same time, they provide economic certainty for generation projects and facilitate the financing of new renewable infrastructure.
Local economic impact and use of publicly owned land
Beyond purely energy-related aspects, Axpo emphasizes the socioeconomic impact The construction of the complex has taken place in the area surrounding Villadangos del Páramo and Cimanes de Tejar. Hundreds of professionals participated in the construction phase, many of them from companies based in the province of León itself.
The mobilization of local labor and collaborating companies in the area has contributed to to boost the local economygenerating activity related to both construction and auxiliary services. These types of projects also tend to have an indirect effect on other sectors such as commerce, hospitality, and transportation.
Another element highlighted by the company is that approximately half of the The land occupied by the plant is publicly ownedThis means that the income from their lease will go directly back to the municipalities, opening the door to new investments in local services, infrastructure improvements, and community projects.
Local authorities particularly value the fact that these types of facilities generate stable long-term returns for the municipalities involved. These additional resources can be allocated, for example, to improvements in facilities, social programs, or economic development initiatives.
Technical challenges and engineering solutions for a shared infrastructure
The development of the Vilecha complex has also involved a considerable technical and organizational challengeIntegrating four photovoltaic plants with different topographic characteristics into the same evacuation infrastructure has required detailed planning and a high level of coordination between teams.
The works included the commissioning of a common evacuation infrastructure up to 400 kVDesigned to channel the energy produced by the four facilities to the transmission grid, this solution optimizes the use of power lines and minimizes the amount of infrastructure required in the area.
According to Axpo, compliance with the expected deadlines This has been achieved through a combination of advanced engineering, well-sequenced construction processes, and close collaboration with specialist companies. The simultaneous construction of the four plants required special coordination in logistics, safety, and technical supervision.
The experience gained in Vilecha will foreseeably serve as reference for future projects large-scale projects that the company can develop both in Spain and in other European countries, especially regarding the integration of several plants into the same evacuation network.
Sustainability and environmental protection criteria throughout the life cycle
From its earliest phases, the solar complex was designed incorporating environmental sustainability criteria throughout its entire life cycle. Axpo has emphasized that the selection of the land was carried out prioritizing soils with low agricultural value, with the aim of minimizing the impact on areas of high agricultural productivity or particularly sensitive areas.
In parallel, a environmental monitoring program which covers different areas. Among the measures applied are the protection of local biodiversity, the control of pollination, revegetation with native plant species and waste management in accordance with circular economy principles.
This approach seeks to reconcile the expansion of solar energy with the conservation of the natural environment, so that renewable energy generation does not result in excessive pressure on ecosystems. Continuous monitoring will allow for adjustments to the measures if unforeseen impacts are detected.
The company frames these actions within its commitment to a responsible energy transitionwhich not only aims to reduce emissions but also to maintain a reasonable balance between energy development, economic activity and environmental protection.
A key piece in Axpo's renewable strategy in Europe
At the European level, Axpo has established itself as one of the leading operators in large-scale solar energywith a portfolio of projects spread across several countries on the continent. The commissioning of the Vilecha complex reinforces this position and adds one of the company's largest facilities.
During the opening ceremony, the deputy director general of Axpo, Andy HeizHe emphasized that the 200 MWp complex is currently the largest plant in its portfolio. In his remarks, he stressed that infrastructure of this type is fundamental to advancing towards a secure, low-emission energy supply in the various European markets where the company operates.
For its part, Antoine Millioud, head of Axpo's solar division, emphasized that the four plants in Vilecha represent a tangible example of their commitment to the large-scale solar energy and for the energy transition in Spain and Europe. He also highlighted the project's compliance with high technical and environmental standards, as well as its positive impact on the region.
The inauguration was also attended by institutional representatives Representatives from the Regional Government of Castile and León, local authorities such as the mayor of Villadangos del Páramo, members of the Swiss Embassy for Spain and Andorra, and collaborating companies all participated in an event that served to highlight the collaboration between public administrations and the private sector in the deployment of new renewable energy capabilities.
With the commissioning of this solar complex 200 MWp in VilechaAxpo takes another step in its renewable energy growth strategy, while contributing a significant amount of clean energy to the Spanish electricity grid. The combination of installed capacity, PPAs with large consumers, local economic returns, and environmental criteria makes this facility a prime example of the new generation model being promoted in Spain and Europe.
