Spain is a pioneer and leading country in the use of wind energy. Although in recent years the installation of new wind farms has stagnated, we can still boast of having the largest wind farm in continental Europe, the El Andévalo complex. With an installed capacity of 292 MWThis park is only surpassed in Europe by the Whitelee park in Scotland, which has 322 MW, but both are owned by the same company, Iberdrola Renovables, and use turbines from the Basque company Gamesa.
El Andévalo is an example of Spain's leadership in the renewable energy sector, and specifically in wind energy. By acquiring El Andévalo, Iberdrola consolidated its position as a leader in wind energy in Andalusia with 851 MW installed and throughout Spain with more than 5.700 MW.
Where is El Andévalo?
Andévalo is located in the province of Huelva, specifically between the municipalities of El Almendro, Alosno, San Silvestre de Guzmán and Puebla de Guzmán. The complex was put into operation in 2010 and is made up of eight wind farms: Majal Alto (50 MW), Los Lirios (48 MW), El Saucito (30 MW), El Centenar (40 MW), La Tallisca (40 MW), La Retuerta (38 MW), Las Cabezas (18 MW) and Valdefuentes (28 MW). In total, they have an installed capacity of 292 MW.
The complex's annual production is sufficient to supply approximately 140.000 homes, while also contributing to the reduction of CO2 emissions. Specifically, it is estimated that this complex prevents the emission of 510.000 tons of CO2 into the atmosphere every year.
A strategic project
The construction of El Andévalo was a strategic step not only in the generation of clean energy, but also in the creation of key infrastructure. The park has a 120-kilometre line that connects the town of Puebla de Guzmán in Huelva with Guillena in Seville. This power line was built by Iberdrola Engineering and Construction and serves to evacuate the energy generated in the parks to the Red Eléctrica de España transport network.
But the strategic importance of El Andévalo goes further, as the construction of a second line that connects it directly with Portugal is also planned, which will contribute to improving the electrical interconnection between the two countries.
In addition to the environmental impact, the project has had a significant socioeconomic impact in the regionDuring its construction, more than 400 jobs were created, and currently, approximately 50 direct jobs are linked to the operation and maintenance of the parks.
Technology and sustainability
The Andévalo was designed using turbines Gamesa, which is one of the leading companies specialising in wind technology worldwide. Specifically, the wind turbine models used were the G90 and G58, with unitary powers of 2 MW and 0,85 MW, respectively.
Since wind farms depend on the regularity and power of the winds, the location of El Andévalo was not a coincidence. The Huelva region of El Andévalo offers ideal wind conditions, which was decisive for the location of this large complex.
In terms of sustainability, wind energy offers multiple benefits. In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, modern wind turbines are designed to have a low visual and noise impact on the environment. In the case of El Andévalo, a Commitment to local biodiversity, minimizing the negative impacts on the flora and fauna of the area.
More wind farms in Huelva
The province of Huelva, where El Andévalo is located, is a leader in renewable energy in Andalusia. Throughout the province, there are 12 wind farms installed, of which El Andévalo is home to eight. This prominence of Huelva on the Andalusian energy map is reflected in the fact that the province covers the 46% of the electrical energy of all Andalusia through renewable sources.
Within the scope of wind energy, it is estimated that the combined power of all the wind farms in the province can supply more than 164.000 homes, which highlights the importance of the sector for the economy and the local environment.
The future of wind energy in Spain
Spain is one of the global leaders in wind energy production. By 2013, wind energy had already become the main source of electricity production in the country, representing approximately 20,9% of demand. Globally, Spain ranks fourth in installed wind energy capacity, only surpassed by China, the United States and Germany.
The outlook for the future is equally promising. The boom in wind energy in recent years has been facilitated by technological innovations that allow for the installation of more efficient wind turbines, which is reflected in increased competitiveness and reduced costs. This type of energy is expected to continue to play a fundamental role in Spain's and the world's strategy for the transition towards cleaner energy sources.
The El Andévalo wind farm continues to be an example of the potential of wind energy in Spain to generate electricity efficiently and sustainably. As the country continues to lead in the adoption of clean energy, we are likely to see more projects of this magnitude that contribute to reducing energy dependency and combating climate change.