The Forestalia group became the protagonist of the latest renewable energy auctions organised by the Government. In May, the Aragonese company stood out again with the award of 1.200 megawatts (MW) of the 3.000 offered. This was not the first time they had triumphed; in January of the previous year, they won more than 400 MW of the 700 available. At that time, some competitors accused them of "selling at a loss", but Forestalia once again demonstrated its competitive capacity, this time backed by the technology giant General Electric.
The Aragonese company has already been awarded 1.500 MW of wind power capacity between the two tenders, and already has an installed capacity of 277,5 MW distributed across 13 wind farms in the region of Aragon.
In this "macro-auction" of renewable energies, 2.000 MW were at stake, which could be extended to 3.000 MW if the prices offered were sufficiently competitive, as indicated by the Ministry of Energy. In fact, the awards exceeded the 2.000 MW planned.
In addition to Forestalia, other companies also won important contracts. For example, Gamesa obtained 206 MW, Gas Natural Fenosa It took about 600 MW, Enel Green Power (Endesa subsidiary) got 500 MW, while surprisingly, Iberdrola could not be awarded any blocks.
New push for renewable energy
The then Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, announced a new auction of 3.000 MW as part of the transition towards renewable energies to combat climate change. This measure is part of a government strategy in which green energy plays a central role, with the intention of accelerating this transition and ensuring compliance with the objectives agreed at international level.
This announcement was made during the debate sessions "Spain, together for the climate", where the need to consolidate the legal framework for the future of the law on climate change and energy transition was highlighted.
The Forestalia Group: A growing giant
Forestalia, founded in 2011 in Zaragoza, has a solid track record in the field of renewable energy dating back to 1997, with a particular focus on energy crops and wind energy. Thanks to its innovative approach and its ability to compete in a complex market, Forestalia has grown rapidly, diversifying into different areas of renewable energy. They currently operate in Spain, France and Italy, with the development of biomass plants in Aragon, the Valencian Community and Andalusia, and wind farms, mainly in Aragon.
In the January 2016 auction, Forestalia was the largest bidder, winning 300 MW of wind energy and 108,5 MW of biomass. Since then, they have continued to strengthen their presence in the sector, betting on opening up the market, generating competition and reducing costs.
The origins of the Forestalia Group
The Forestalia Group has deep family roots, but the name Samper is synonymous with innovation and expansion. Jorge Group, of which Fernando Samper was a member, initially developed in the pig sector, where it became one of the five main pig producers in Spain. More than 60% of its turnover comes from exports, with China as its main market. This success allowed Fernando Samper to get to know the Chinese market and develop key business relationships, such as his partnership with Gedi, which was crucial in his first participation in a renewable energy auction.
The current leaders of Grupo Jorge, headed by Sergio Samper and his brothers, have diversified the group's activities, expanding into real estate, agriculture and energy. In fact, it was this diversification that prompted the Sampers to enter the field of renewable energy, largely due to the opportunities that arose with the tree global of this sector.
Forestalia took a pioneering step by eliminating premiums and subsidies from its business model, proving that this path was viable and securing a competitive advantage over companies that relied on traditional subsidies. Today, it is one of the main players in the renewable sector in Spain, growing continuously and facilitating significant foreign investment. Its partnership with General Electric and other international giants has consolidated its position.
Forestalia projects on the horizon
The wind and solar parks promoted and developed by Forestalia are mostly located in Aragon. Projects such as Goya Project (192 MW), Phoenix Project (342 MW) and others continue to promote the region as an energy hub. In addition, Forestalia has more than 500 MW under development in photovoltaic energy, an example of its diversification.
Forestalia's continued growth is reflected in its ability to attract investment funds and strategic partnerships, such as with the British investment fund Lightsource BP y Repsol. Despite the challenges of the sector, such as increasing competition and new regulations, the company continues to consolidate itself as a benchmark brand. Recently, they announced the construction of the largest pellet plant in Spain, another example of their approach to innovation and technology applied to sustainability.
Forestalia is, without a doubt, a key player in the Spanish energy landscape. Its ability to adapt quickly to regulatory changes and its vision of the future allows it to compete with giants in the sector. In addition, its impact on local economic development and its commitment to wind, solar and biomass energy have consolidated it as one of the most important companies in the field of renewable energy in Spain.