FRV starts up San Serván 400, a 150MW cluster in Extremadura

FRV has announced the commissioning of San Serván 400, a cluster of 3 projects of 50 MWdc for a total of 150 MWdc, in the municipality of Mérida, Extremadura.

The inauguration of the facilities was attended by the Minister of the Presidency, Félix Bolaños, and the President of the Regional Government of Extremadura, Guillermo Fernández-Vara, who wished to say a few words during the presentation ceremony.
The construction of the cluster has been carried out by means of an 89-million-euro project finance loan in equal parts (44.5 million euro) between BBVA and Natixis.
The plants will have the capacity to supply around 108,000 households with clean energy and avoid the emission of 223,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year.

Madrid, 9 March 2023

Fotowatio Renewable Ventures, part of Abdul Latif Jameel Energy and a world leader in the development of sustainable energy solutions, has announced the start-up of San Serván 400, a cluster of 3 projects of 50 MWdc for a total of 150 MWdc, in the municipality of Merida, Extremadura.

The opening ceremony, which was held on the site where the plants are located, was attended by the Minister of the Presidency, Félix Bolaños, and the President of the Regional Government of Extremadura, Guillermo Fernández-Vara, among other authorities from the central, regional and local administrations.

Extremadura is at the forefront of renewable energies in Spain and Europe. The ecological transition is fundamental to Spain’s development, hence all the effort the government is making to ensure that our country becomes a world power in renewable energies by 2050, and this solar plant in San Serván is an ideal place, as it demonstrates this project for the country. The investments being made today in Spain are investments for the future.

Félix Bolaños

Minister of the Presidency, Relations with Parliament and Democratic Memory

San Serván 400 will produce around 300 gigawatt hours (GWh) of clean energy per year, which is enough to supply around 108,000 Spanish homes and avoid the emission of 223,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2).

This is just the tip of the iceberg. Behind it comes a change in the model of life, consumption, employment, development, and the possibility of placing Spain at the forefront of the world. We have an opportunity as a country, and Extremadura as a region, that we never had before with the arrival of mature projects, and we have to know how to rise to the occasion.

Guillermo Fernández Vara

President of the Regional Government of Extremadura

The entry into operation of the plants thus contributes to the Long-Term Decarbonisation Strategy (ELP) promoted by the Spanish government, which sets the path to achieve Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions neutrality in Spain by 2050.

The San Serván complex has a total capacity of 150 megawatts (MW). Its construction has been carried out through a financing agreement with BBVA and Natixis for an amount of 89 million euros under the project finance modality, divided equally (44.5 million euros).

The San Serván 400 plant is part of the “Young Talented Leaders” program, a joint educational initiative between FRV and the Fundación Instituto de Empresa, which awards a scholarship to young students who demonstrate academic merit and an entrepreneurial spirit. The scholarship covers all education and training expenses: tuition, accommodation, academic materials, travel and living expenses in Spain during the four years of undergraduate studies at IE University.

With the start-up of San Serván 400 we continue to strengthen our presence in Extremadura, Spain, which remains a priority location where we have great prospects for the future.

Fernando Salinas

Managing Director of FRV Iberia

The commissioning of this new solar farm in Spain reflects our efforts to support the country in its decarbonization process. It is a testament to our belief in sustainable and renewable energy as a strategic pillar that will support and drive economic, social, and environmental advancements for future generations.

Fady Jameel

Deputy chairman and vice chairman of Abdul Latif Jameel

All the projects developed by FRV have the Green Financing Framework qualification which includes green bonds, project finance, green loans and any other financial tool applicable to projects, assets or groups of them.

The 150 MWdc San Serván 400 is the third photovoltaic project that FRV has operational in Extremadura, Spain, following the commissioning of San Serván 220 (138 MWdc) in 2022 and La Solanilla (50 MWdc) in 2020. In September 2022, FRV announced the construction of the 123 MWdc Carmonita Norte PV complex, also in Extremadura.