Technology

This is one of the conclusions of a study by consultancy firm AT Kearney for the European Solar Thermal Electricity Association (Estela) of which Spain’s Solar Thermal Electric Industry Association (Protermosolar) is a founding member and vice president.

Abengoa Solar and ITOCHU Corporation have formed a partnership to own two 50-MW solar thermal electric plants in Logrosán (Cáceres, Spain). Abengoa Solar, who will also operate both facilities, will retain control of the project with a 70% stake, while ITOCHU will take the remaining 30% stake.

The commissioning of the Palma del Rio II concentrating solar power (CSP) plant in the Cordoban town of the same name, has taken Acciona to the top. Acciona claims that it is "the company with the highest CSP installed capacity in the world (214 MW in three plants in Spain and one in the United States)".

There is no doubt. Spain is the largest and most important solar thermal electric power in the world. Looking at the distribution maps presented during the Fourth International Concentrated Solar Thermal Power Summit EU (CSP Today 2010) recently held in Seville, it could even be said that it is the only real power in this field.

Located in Majadas de Tiétar (Cáceres, Spain) it has a capacity of 50 MW and cost €237 million. The Spanish multinational will end 2010 with four operational solar thermal electric plants (214 MW). According to the European Union’s latest R&D report, Acciona increased its investments in research and development by 29% over the last year.

The joint venture formed by Abener and Teyma has announced it has broken ground at the Solacor 1 and 2 parabolic trough solar thermal electric plants in the municipality of El Carpio, Cordoba (Spain).

The Abengoa Group companies, Abener and Teyma, have begun work to connect the "Hassi R'Mel-ISCC" hybrid solar plant being built in Algeria. Located near the largest natural gas field in Africa called Hassi R'Mel, the plant will have an output of 150 MW, 25 MW of which will correspond to solar generation.

Abengoa Solar and the Japanese JGC Corporation have formed a partnership to construct two 50-MW solar thermal electric plants in El Carpio. This is will be the first time a Japanese company has invested in commercial concentrating solar power (CSP) plants.

Solnova 4 has entered commercial operation after production and operation testing. With the roll-out of this plant, located at the Solúcar Platform in Seville, Abengoa Solar has reached a total of 193 megawatts in commercial operation. It also has a further 350 MW under construction.

The $1.45 billion Federal Loan Guarantee awarded to Abengoa Solar by the US administration will go towards constructing and commissioning the 250-MW Solana solar thermal electric plant in Arizona. Abengoa’s share price on the Spanish stock market climbed 9% after the announcement.