Planta/Parque Solar | The Ekienea solar park in Euskadi (Armiñón, Álav – Basque Country, Spain) – creative image: Xpert.Digital
Solar power, sheep and vegetables: This project is revolutionizing the energy transition
### Spain's Solar Miracle: How this project reconciles climate protection and agriculture ### More than just panels: This solar park will become a paradise for animals and plants ### 70 million for the future: Spain's new solar park creates jobs and protects nature ### Basque Country's energy revolution: A solar park that supplies electricity for 47,500 households ### The green transformation succeeds: Why Europe's eyes are on this Spanish solar park ###
A new era of sustainable electricity generation in the Basque Country
In Armiñón, Álava, the Ekienea solar park is being built, becoming the most significant photovoltaic project in the Basque Country to date. The permit for the construction of the plant, which will consist of 231,000 solar modules, represents a milestone and underscores the region's ambitions in the field of renewable energy. The project, jointly financed by Iberdrola, the Basque Energy Entrepreneurship (EVE), the engineering firm Krean (Mondragón Group), and the Álava Provincial Government, will generate both economic and environmental benefits.
Project structure and cooperation partners
Ekienea is a prime example of a public-private partnership. With Iberdrola as the main shareholder (75 percent), EVE (18 percent), Krean (5 percent), and the Álava Provincial Government (2 percent), the project is broadly based. The Armiñón site is strategically located near key infrastructure connections and allows for effective integration into the existing power grid via a 17-kilometer high-voltage line to the Puentelarrá substation. The facility will cover 200 hectares, of which 100 hectares are designated for solar panels and 100 hectares for nature conservation measures and the preservation of forest areas.
Technical specifications and capacity
Once completed, the solar farm will offer 125.89 megawatts of power – almost three times the region's current installed ground-mounted capacity of around 50 megawatts. An additional 150 megawatts from rooftop installations are registered for self-consumption. This increase puts the Basque Country in a leading position regionally and opens up the possibility of supplying approximately 47,500 households with clean electricity annually. The projected annual production amounts to 155 gigawatt-hours.
Social and economic significance
The €70 million investment in the solar park will primarily boost the local economy and employment. Up to 300 new jobs are planned during the peak construction phases, supplemented by permanent positions for the operation and maintenance of the lighting system. Local communities will also benefit from new revenue streams and the strengthening of regional infrastructure.
Integration into regional development
The initiators have placed particular emphasis on the sustainable integration of the project into the surrounding area. In addition to the actual energy production areas, a significant portion of the site will be used for compensatory measures, including reforestation and the protection of existing forest areas. Ekienea thus adheres to the guidelines for the environmentally sound expansion of renewable energies, which are firmly anchored in the Basque Energy Plan.
Integration of nature conservation and biodiversity
Measures to increase and preserve biodiversity are an integral part of the concept. A 150-meter-wide buffer strip, planted with native oak and shrubs, will be created starting at the edge of the Lacorzana lagoon. An ecological corridor will connect the lagoon to the solar power plant and existing floodplains. Additional areas will be reforested with moisture-loving trees such as ash and alder. Furthermore, artificial ponds and habitats for amphibians and other animals will be created through the construction of rock and wood piles.
Examples of measures to promote biodiversity
- Planting strips of wild plants between module rows
- Creation of small-scale habitats for reptiles and ground-nesting bird species
- Extensive use of the space between the modules as pastureland for sheep.
- Diversified agri-PV with an organically managed vegetable and fruit growing region
The integration of sheep farming, fruit plantations, biointensive vegetable cultivation (in greenhouses and open fields) and fodder plants for agricultural use enables multifunctional land use, as required by the latest European nature conservation regulations.
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New: Patent from the USA – Install solar parks up to 30% cheaper and 40% faster and easier – with explanatory videos! - Image: Xpert.Digital
At the heart of this technological advancement is the deliberate departure from conventional clamp fastening, which has been the standard for decades. The new, more time- and cost-effective mounting system addresses this with a fundamentally different, more intelligent concept. Instead of clamping the modules at specific points, they are inserted into a continuous, specially shaped support rail and held securely. This design ensures that all forces occurring—be they static loads from snow or dynamic loads from wind—are evenly distributed across the entire length of the module frame.
More about it here:
Solar parks of the future: How Spain combines ecology and the energy transition
Environmental relevance and contribution to climate protection
Ekienea avoids approximately 12,400 tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually and contributes to the decarbonization of the region. This supports the Basque government's goal of gradually transitioning its energy supply from fossil fuels to renewables, particularly photovoltaics. The solar park serves as a model for other projects that combine biodiversity with electricity generation.
Innovation and technological development
Collaboration with renowned regional companies serves as a catalyst for technological innovation. Companies such as Ingeteam, Arteche, Ormazabal, and Haizea Wind supply components, control systems, and IT solutions. The project also provides opportunities for research and further development of agri-PV and biodiversity-PV models, as well as the testing of novel modular designs that achieve ecological and economic synergies.
Digitalization and optimization
The project sponsor EVE has consistently driven forward the digitalization of operational processes, as well as the consolidation and improvement of reporting and planning structures. Modern monitoring systems allow for the continuous monitoring of electricity yields, biodiversity, and ecological development on the site.
Spain's solar energy in a European context
Spain is among the leading nations in the European solar sector, particularly in ground-mounted installations. With 36 gigawatts of installed capacity, Spain ranks second in Europe after Germany. The ambitious expansion agenda aims to further increase this gigawatt capacity by 2030. The sector's economic dynamism has been sustainably strengthened by investments, a high number of new jobs (over 160,000 in 2023), and targeted government support programs such as the PERTE renewable energy scheme.
Challenges and opportunities
Rising demand, Europe-wide targets, and the increased use of large areas for solar parks present the industry with challenges in the areas of permitting, land conflicts, and a shortage of skilled workers. At the same time, model projects like the one in Armiñón demonstrate that sustainable added value can be created with innovative concepts and the intelligent integration of agriculture and nature conservation.
The Armiñón location: Geography, infrastructure and history
The tranquil town of Armiñón has historically been one of Álava's more industrially oriented communities. Today, agriculture and a growing service sector are the mainstays of the local economy. The solar park brings new economic benefits and enriches the community with forward-looking infrastructure. Traditional festivals, historical buildings, and a natural environment complete the region's profile as a desirable and innovative place to live.
The role of the duck Vasco de la Energía (EVE)
The Basque Energy Agency (EVE) plays a key role in energy planning, implementing climate and energy targets, and promoting energy efficiency and renewable technologies. As a partner in projects like Ekienea, the agency acts as a bridge between government, businesses, and society. It coordinates international collaborations, organizes training programs, and supports innovative research projects.
Future outlook: Sustainable development and model character
Ekienea not only modernizes the energy supply of the Basque Country, but also demonstrates that solar parks can act as drivers for regional development, the job market, and the promotion of biodiversity. The integration of agricultural land, livestock farming, and deliberately designed nature conservation measures shows how synergies between the economy, ecology, and society can be achieved.
Perspectives for European and global energy policy
The experience gained from the construction and operation of Ekienea is being incorporated into the energy policies of Spain and the EU. It promotes the exchange of best-practice concepts and motivates the further development of biodiversity-enhancing solar power plants. The solar park will serve as a model for a modern, targeted expansion of renewable energies, where economic growth and nature conservation go hand in hand.
Pioneers of a new energy and land use culture
Ekienea exemplifies a new era of sustainable energy production, uniting regional economic development, climate protection, and biodiversity. The pioneering measures implemented across more than 200 hectares demonstrate that integrating ecological, economic, and social goals is possible with a smart concept and strong partners. For Spain, Europe, and the global energy transition, the project offers inspiration on how green transformation can succeed: in harmony with people, nature, and technology.
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