A group of 16 students from the Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering and the Master’s Degree in Renewable Energies from our partner University of Castilla-La Mancha visited the 2,313 MWp El Cuco photovoltaic plant, located in Montealegre del Castillo, Albacete, to see firsthand a photovoltaic technology project in execution.
Throughout the visit, accompanied by University Professor Sergio Martín, Álvaro López Parra, our Renewable Energy Project Manager, provided the students with practical insights into the workings of a photovoltaic plant, its key components, and the factors to take into account for constructing such a project.
Following the plant tour, the students were also introduced to the operations of the monitoring centre at Eiffage Energía Sistemas’ headquarters in Albacete, which oversees the solar plants maintained by the company’s Operation and Maintenance (O&M) department.
El Cuco
This facility, which we are building for Aquila Clean Energy will generate enough clean energy to power 19,500 homes per year and is expected to be operational in 2024. It will create around 140 jobs and avoid the emission of 19,200 tonnes of CO2 per year.
Environmental protection
The Montealegre del Castillo plant has a diversification and crop rotation plan for leguminous and cereal crops. A plan that maintains long-term fallow lands. It also contemplates the replanting of vegetation under solar panels on 100 square metres; or the creation of a vegetation screen to integrate the plant into the environment.
With regard to wildlife protection, compensation is planned for steppe bird habitats in an area of 72 hectares. This is equivalent to 50% of the plant surface. In addition, 15 nesting boxes and three drinking troughs have been installed to encourage the development of fauna in the plant’s surroundings. This is equivalent to 100% of the plant, which occupies an area of 70 hectares.
