The Andorra thermal power plant, built between 1974 and 1979, was in operation for more than four decades until its closure in 2020. During this period it burned 142 tonnes of coal to produce 224,000 GWh. ENEL Endesa´s project to repurpose the Andorra Thermal Power Plant is as benchmark in the energy transition.

Technology

More than 1,487 billion euros will be invested to replace the initial 1,050 MW-capacity coal plant with 1,725 MW of renewable power, of which, 1,585 MW solar (coming from one of the largest plant under construction in Europe), and 139 MW will come from wind power. The project will also be fitted with a large-scale energy storage system of up to 160 MW.

The new installation incorporates a dimension of agrivoltaic, a technique that allows to maximize land use by using the surface beneath solar panels for agricultural cultivation. 

Approach

The repurposing of the plant will be performed in a phased-approach:

1. Plant phase out (March 2021)

2. Dismantling / construction of initial new renewable infrastructure (March 2022-June 2023)

• Construction of 50 MW solar photovoltaic facility, built on-site as well as a 49.4 MW wind farm, installed in near-by town of Ejulve. 

• Installation of 235 MW of solar PV and 54.3 MW of battery storage (within the perimeter of current plant).

3. Development of renewable capacity (May 2023-early 2026)

• 1,300 MW of photovoltaic power, 90 MW of wind power and 105 MW of battery storage will be built in Andorra, Alcorisa, Alcañiz, Calanda and Híjar.

Just Transition

The project integrates a strong programme to mitigate the social implications of the transition, thus acting as a model to create shared value for all stakeholders. 100% of workers from the power plant are to benefit from either:

• Reskilling/up-skilling

• Relocation plan promoting the return to the site of origin 

• Voluntary departure agreements 

• Early retirement