Bienvenida PV plant by ib vogt (pict. b vogt)
The project commenced commercial operations and achieved its formal Provisional Acceptance (PAC) milestone in the first quarter of this year despite challenges from COVID-19 restrictions. The major European insurance group and institutional investor Talanx acquired the plant through its asset management company Ampega in December 2019. ib vogt started construction in January 2020 and achieved the milestone of mechanical completion in October, exporting electricity to the grid in December of the same year. The project sells clean energy and renewable attributes to Shell Energy Europe SE under a 15-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), without being dependent on subsidies.
The Bienvenida solar power plant extends over 180 ha, located in Spain’s sunny Extremadura region, with more than 550,000 solar modules placed on south-facing fixed-tilt racks. With 180 MWp capacity, the plant is the biggest single project realized by ib vogt and the biggest investment in solar power by the Talanx Group to date. It is designed with special consideration for optimal land use and reduction of environmental impact. ib vogt will continue to provide operation and maintenance services as well as asset management services to the project under long-term agreements.
Anton Milner, CEO of ib vogt, says: “Despite the challenges and adversities through the ongoing pandemic, ib vogt delivered its biggest solar plant so far, on time and on budget. We are grateful for the passionate and reliable contribution of our suppliers, subcontractors and Talanx in coping with the added complexity. This was the first of a series of projects we are developing in Southern Europe, helping to drive the penetration of clean electricity on a standalone economic – unsubsidized – basis.”
“We are very happy that the plant was completed and put into operation on time despite all the challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic,” explained Dr. Peter Brodehser, Head of Infrastructure Investments of Talanx. “This was only possible because of the good cooperation between the parties involved in an atmosphere of trust, especially collaboration between ib vogt and Talanx. The solar park represents an excellent fit with our direction and strategy. The investment allows us to diversify our asset portfolio and to enhance the ESG profile of the Talanx Group.” ib vogt continues to develop and commercialize, further projects of its substantial Spanish pipeline. Recently, the company sold projects with a capacity of 395 MWp which it will also construct in the coming period, with Notice to Proceed (NTP) already having been received on the first 150 MWp. Projects with an aggregated capacity of more than 600 MWp are expected to be commercialized during 2022.