Why do we need battery energy storage systems in Spain?

Due to the large capacity of installed hydroelectric and thermal storage systems and the resilience of the Spanish power grid, the need for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in Spain has been relatively low. The lack of a clear regulatory framework for BESS has also hindered its development in Spain so far.

What is the first electric energy storage system in Spain?

In November 2019, Iberdrola España inaugurated the first electrical energy storage system with lithium-ion batteries for distribution networks in Spain.

How many storage batteries will Iberdrola install in Spain?

Iberdrola España will install six new storage batteries in Spain with a capacity of 150 MW The projects will be built in Castilla y León, Extremadura, Castilla La Mancha and Andalusia, and each battery will have 25 MW of power and a capacity of 50 MWh.

How much energy storage capacity does Spain have?

When it comes to installed energy storage capacity in general, Spain is one of the leading countries within Europe (see figure 2). Currently, Spain has 6.3GW of hydroelectric and 1GW of thermal storage capacity installed. In fact, the non-BESS storage capacity in Spain is higher than in any other European country.

Where will a battery be installed in Spain?

In Castilla y León, a battery will be installed in Revilla Vallejera (Burgos), where Iberdrola España completed its first hybrid wind-solar plant in Spain in 2023. Extremadura will have two new batteries. The company will install two batteries in the province of Cáceres, where the C. Arañuelo I and II photovoltaic plants are located.

Which wind farm has the first battery storage system in Spain?

The Elgea-Urkilla wind farm, located in Araba (Basque Country), has the first battery storage system in a wind farm in Spain. This type of storage system collects the energy produced by the wind and has an installed power of 5MW and 5 MWh of storage capacity. It is the first green hydrogen plant in Europe.