As their first activity in Seville, the Leaders visited Europe’s largest solar thermal facility
After arriving in Seville, the Australian Leaders started their agenda in Andalusia’s capital city with a visit to Abengoa’s Solúcar solar thermal power station. They were welcomed by Elisa Prieto, Head of Strategy at Abengoa Solar, and Francisco Javier Rodríguez Liñán, Head of Power Station Engineering, who showed the group around the facility.
This is Europe’s largest solar thermal facility, spanning over 1,000 ha. Located in Sanlúcar la Mayor in Seville, Abengoa Solar has a commercial operating capacity of 183 MW. The facility currently generates enough energy to cater for 94,000 households and saves up to 114,000 tons of CO2 per year.
During the presentation to the Australian Leaders, the hosts emphasised the facility’s contribution to the development of local industry and service companies, as well as the increase in technology investments in the area and the rise of ‘science tourism’ to the PS10, PS20, Solnovas, Sevilla PV and Casaquemada PV power stations. The platform also boasts a powerful R&D department.
The Leaders also learned about Abengoa’s offices in Sydney and Brisbane, which operate in the renewable energies and energy transmission sector. The company is currently heading up a feasibility study into the construction of a 20 MW solar thermal power station employing molten salt tower technology with a thermal energy storage system at Perenjori, Western Australia, partly funded by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). The project will be truly innovative in its field in Australia, as it would generate manageable renewable energy and offer unique flexibility by de-coupling the energy sourcing and supply processes.
Apart from Australia, the Spanish multinational operates in over 80 countries and 84% of its revenue is generated abroad. After the visit, the Leaders were treated to a working lunch at the company’s facilities.
