Greenalia’s first biomass plant begins operations in Spain
Spanish electricity firm Greenalia’s first biomass plant has started operations following a 19-month construction phase.
The 50 MW-capacity plant, located in Curtis-Teixeiro near A Coruna, is described by Greenalia as “the most technologically advanced plant in Spain” and cost €135 million. It is hoped the facility, which utilises forestry residues, will supply around 250,000 people in the area with electricity and prevent more than 393,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually.
Greenalia started selling its green electricity on 1 March 2020. It is expected that the facility will generate €37 million in sales and, when the plant starts operating at maximum capacity in 2021, the facility should result in €17 million in earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA).
Manuel Garcia, Greenalia’s CEO, said: “With this milestone, Greenalia consolidates itself as an important player in the decarbonisation of Spain, moreover it shows the rigour and professionalism of our company in achieving its business plan (2023) even earlier than forecasted.”
The biomass plant is Greenalia’s second renewable energy project; the first being a wind farm that started operations in 2019. More than 1,000 jobs (direct and indirect) were created during the plant’s construction; 100 of these will be permanent. Garcia added: “The kick-off of operations at our biomass plant confirms the value of these technologies in environmental protection, since it reduces greenhouse gases while also cleaning our woods and reducing the risk of wildfires.
“Moreover, it consolidates the huge potential that Galicia has in renewable energy as a source of growth for the whole autonomous region, helping in population settlement and creation of new job opportunities.”
The 50 MW-capacity plant, located in Curtis-Teixeiro near A Coruna, is described by Greenalia as “the most technologically advanced plant in Spain” and cost €135 million. It is hoped the facility, which utilises forestry residues, will supply around 250,000 people in the area with electricity and prevent more than 393,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually.
Greenalia started selling its green electricity on 1 March 2020. It is expected that the facility will generate €37 million in sales and, when the plant starts operating at maximum capacity in 2021, the facility should result in €17 million in earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA).
Manuel Garcia, Greenalia’s CEO, said: “With this milestone, Greenalia consolidates itself as an important player in the decarbonisation of Spain, moreover it shows the rigour and professionalism of our company in achieving its business plan (2023) even earlier than forecasted.”
The biomass plant is Greenalia’s second renewable energy project; the first being a wind farm that started operations in 2019. More than 1,000 jobs (direct and indirect) were created during the plant’s construction; 100 of these will be permanent. Garcia added: “The kick-off of operations at our biomass plant confirms the value of these technologies in environmental protection, since it reduces greenhouse gases while also cleaning our woods and reducing the risk of wildfires.
“Moreover, it consolidates the huge potential that Galicia has in renewable energy as a source of growth for the whole autonomous region, helping in population settlement and creation of new job opportunities.”
