Spain preps plan for solar, X-Elio bags 14-year PPA

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The Spanish government has unveiled a new series of measures to halt rising electricity prices that include actions to support solar and other renewables.

A statement released by Spanish solar association UNEF says the new proposals defined by Spain’s Minister of Ecological Transition, Teresa Ribera, stress the importance of renewable energy in the country’s energy mix, while improving the attractiveness of investment in renewables.

As a first measure, intended to provide the Spanish energy market with more stable electricity prices, the Spanish government will facilitate private PPAs.

“In this sense, UNEF is developing a fundamental role facilitating the exchange of knowledge and opportunities through the organization of training and technical sessions, and in the preparation and dissemination of reports on PPAs,” the association said in its statement.

Private PPAs to power Spanish solar rebirth

The government is also planning to set a calendar for future auctions; eliminate self-consumption charges – by cancelling the notorious solar tax; promote community solar projects for self-consumption; simplify bureaucratic procedures for the installation and grid-connection of renewable power generators; and improve tariffs for the agricultural sector while removing charges for irrigation self-consumption.

That private PPAs may provide strong growth for Spanish solar was illustrated as another deal was announced by developer X-Elio.

The company said in a press release it has secured a 14-year PPA – the longest such private deal to date for solar in Spain – for two 50 MW PV plants it is planning in the southern region of Murcia.

“The projects are now in the final phase of approval and their completion is scheduled for the second half of 2019,” X-Elio said. The electricity off-taker will be Spanish power and gas provider Nexus Energía.

“The conception of the mixed price model has been fundamental, which allows to ensure the profitability of the producer at the same time as it can increase the profitability for both parties in case of price increases,” said Nexus Director of Energy Management and Trading, Dario Castagnoli.

Several PPAs by developers and power providers have been signed in recent months, including with EDF Solar, BayWa, Cox Energy, and Foresight.

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