Esparity Solar is committed to environmentally responsible photovoltaic energy
The Navajo photovoltaic solar park has recently obtained the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) issued by the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO). This project is being developed by Esparity Solar, which is also responsible for the 50MW Bajo Guadalquivir and Bajo Guadalquivir II solar PV projects in Seville. Both have received the Unified Environmental Authorisation (AAU), equivalent to the EIS.
Generation of direct and indirect employment
These three initiatives have in common social and environmental commitment to the environment. In the case of the Navajo PSF (Solar Photovoltaic Plant), it is estimated that it will avoid emissions of more than 131,400 tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere during its entire life cycle and will generate approximately 200,000 MWh/year, equivalent to the consumption of around 60,000 Spanish homes.
Located in the Castilian-La Mancha municipalities of Fontanar and Guadalajara, and with a total capacity of 100 MW, it is estimated that the construction and commissioning of Navajo will generate around 300 direct and indirect jobs locally. In addition, an investment of around 54 million euros is foreseen, which will translate, according to Esparity Solar, “into a significant economic contribution to the municipal coffers through taxes linked to the implementation and life of the renewable installation”.
Protection of biodiversity
The solar park has an unbeatable location, according to the company responsible, which states that “it requires practically no earthworks and is located far from any protected area of the Natura 2000 network, so it will in no way affect areas catalogued as such and included in current legislation, such as parks, reserves and natural monuments or protected landscapes and unique natural areas”.
Minimal impact to the environment
Likewise, its location in the La Mancha municipalities of Fontanar and Guadalajara is considered a radiation zone IV, the second best in Spain, which means high levels of performance for the facilities. In addition, this location is classified by MITECO with an environmental sensitivity index of 9.02 out of 10, which means that the projects have a low environmental impact on the surroundings.
The Navajo PSF has a short 34-metre-high voltage power line that will evacuate the power generated at the PSF through the Navajo 30/220 kV elevator substation. In addition, part of the evacuation infrastructure is shared with other photovoltaic plants developed by different developers whose projects have access and connection permits at the same substation. This saves unnecessary infrastructure and considerably minimises the impact on the landscape.
Saving CO2 emissions
The Bajo Guadalquivir and Bajo Guadalquivir II FPPs, with a total capacity of 100 MW, will save more than 153,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions into the atmosphere during their entire life cycle and generate approximately 200,000 MWh/year, equivalent to the consumption of more than 61,000 Spanish households.
According to Esparity Solar, both wind farms are far from “areas with any type of environmental protection and located in a terrain of sparse and scattered vegetation, which requires little earth movement. Likewise, its location in Dos Hermanas (Seville) is considered to be a V radiation zone, the best in Spain, representing high levels of performance for the installations. In addition, this location is classified by the MITECO (Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge) with an environmental sensitivity index of 9.95 out of 10.
Both assets have two sections of underground line, complying with the recommendations of the town councils of Dos Hermanas and Seville. In addition, part of the evacuation infrastructures are shared with other photovoltaic plants developed by other developers whose projects have access and connection permits at the same substation as Esparity Solar’s projects. In so doing, unnecessary infrastructure is saved and the impact on the landscape is considerably minimised.
Huge financial investment
It is estimated that the construction and commissioning of the Bajo Guadalquivir and Bajo Guadalquivir II FPPs will generate around 400 direct and indirect jobs locally, and an investment of around 54 million euros is expected, which will translate into a significant economic contribution to the municipal coffers through taxes linked to the implementation and life of the photovoltaic solar parks.