Spain opens bidding for 1.3 GW of green synchronous power generation

The Spanish ministry for ecological transition on Thursday launched a grid tender to award up to 1,259 MW of synchronous power generating modules and synchronous storage capacity in the so-called just transition areas across Spain, that is, those affected by the closure of nuclear and coal-fired power plants and at risk of economic downturn.

The solicitation targets the installation of synchronous power generating technology that utilises renewable energy sources, such as biomass-fired plants or pumped-storage hydro, to enhance grid flexibility and security and facilitate the integration of renewables. The facilities should be connected to five designated just transition grid nodes -- Garona 220 kV, Guardo 220 kV, Lada 400 kV, Mudejar 400 kV, and Robla 400 kV.

The grid capacity at Garona became available following the closure of the Santa Maria de Garona nuclear power plant, while the other nodes once served coal-fired power plants.

The available capacity for synchronous power generating modules across the nodes is broken down as follows: Garona 220 kV has 151 MW, Guardo 220 kV has 216 MW, Lada 400 kV has 90 MW, Robla 400 kV has 648 MW and Mudejar 400 kV has 154 MW.

The new bidding process complements other tenders organised for the just transition nodes, such as the one for Mudejar, and provides only part of the available capacity, the ministry said.

Interested bidders must present projects that contribute to the socio-economic development of their chosen area. This means that the projects must support initiatives such as job creation, training and installation of self-consumption energy systems.

Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

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