Plenitude, an energy company controlled by Eni, has initiated the construction of a 220MW solar plant in Villarino de los Aires, Salamanca, Spain.

The facility will become one of the largest in the Castilla y Leon region.

Covering 286 hectares, the facility will be connected to Spain's national transmission grid through a 3.2km underground medium-voltage line.

It will feature 365,300 bifacial modules and generate more than 400 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity per year.

Completion of the project is targeted for 2025, with photovoltaic construction company Sterling & Wilson heading the construction alongside other local companies.

Among the measures undertaken to protect the local environment include the conservation of rural huts and natural water channels, and the installation of a permeable hunting fence.

The development enhances Plenitude's footprint in Castilla y Leon, complementing its existing 13MW wind facility.

Plenitude currently operates more than 440MW of photovoltaic and wind capacity across various Spanish regions and is constructing projects totalling 1GW in the country.

It is also advancing more than 2GW of new capacity through projects in development.

Plenitude Spain managing director and Western Europe Renewables head Mariangiola Mollicone stated: “The Villarino project is a virtuous example of integration with the territory.

“Being here today, in the presence of all the actors involved, is tangible proof of our willingness to continue this collaborative approach in the coming years, in line with our business and growth strategy in the country.”

In early 2024, Plenitude formed a partnership with BlueFloat Energy and Sener Renewable Investments to develop offshore wind projects in Spain.

The alliance strengthened the joint venture created by BlueFloat and Sener Renewable Investments in 2020, aimed at developing 1.25GW of floating offshore wind projects.

The consortium's portfolio includes projects such as Parque Nordes in Galicia, Parc Tramuntana in Catalonia and Parque Tarahal in the Canary Islands.