Esparity’s project to build two solar power plants in Dos Hermanas, Seville, goes on public exhibition
Given the conditions and location of the Bajo Guadalquivir and Bajo Guadalquivir II projects, they are the pride of Esparity’s projects. Its location in Dos Hermanas, Seville is a V radiation zone, the best in Spain, representing high levels of performance for its installation of more than 2,000 kWh/kWp per year and with horizontal radiation values exceeding 1,900kWh/m2.
Both projects will save more than 1,500,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions over their entire life cycle and generate more than 200,000 MWh/year, equivalent to the consumption of more than 60,000 homes.
In addition, the projects will be located on a plain with sparse and scattered vegetation, which means little earth movement, and far from areas with some form of environmental protection.
Compensatory measures included in the projects
The measures included in the environmental impact study of the projects include the installation of nesting boxes and birdwatchers, the restoration of rural roadsides by revegetation of their sides and slopes with native vegetation of herbaceous species and, mainly, shrubs and trees. The construction of a natural perimeter hedge with various native species has also been considered, as well as the creation of wildlife crossings every 50 metres along the perimeter fence of the project and the monitoring of birdlife in the area surrounding the plant to detect possible changes in ethology and studies of the effects.
MITERD gives it a score of 9.95 for its zoning
The location of the Bajo Guadalquivir and Bajo Guadalquivir II projects is classified by MITERD (Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge) with an environmental sensitivity index of 9.95 out of 10, which means that the project has a low environmental impact on the surroundings. The MITERD has created environmental zoning maps to assist in the decision-making and processing of energy production projects using renewable sources, by dividing the territory into areas with greater and lesser environmental impact by type of technology (wind and photovoltaic). The tool can be accessed here GeoPortal (mapama.gob.es).
Underground line section and good relations with developers
The projects have two underground line sections, complying with the recommendations of the Town Councils of Dos Hermanas and Seville. In addition, part of the evacuation infrastructure is shared with other photovoltaic plants developed by other developers whose projects have access and connection permits at the same substation as Esparity’s projects: developers with whom good relations are maintained in order to speed up the processing of the common evacuation infrastructure. In this way, and taking into account the characteristics of the environment, unnecessary infrastructures are saved and their impact on the landscape is minimised to a high degree.
With the development of these projects, Esparity is committed to contributing to a just energy transition through the production of cost-effective, sustainable and accessible solar energy.