- Developers WElink and CITEC have completed the 219MW solar PV plant in Portugal.
- The plant is the first unsubsidised project in the country.
- The PV plant required an investment of 1€70m
Ireland-based WElink Group and China Triumph International Engineering Co. have announced the completion of the 219MW Riccardo Totta PV Plant in Portugal’s Algarve region. The project was integrated last week and is expected to commence operations by the end of the month. The Riccardo Totta PV plant is Portugal’s largest solar power plant and one of the largest unsubsidised projects developed in Europe.
Developers WElink and China Triumph International Engineering Co. Ltd. (CTIEC) have signed a long-term PPA with Spanish company Audax for the power produced at the plant. WElink also stated that the plant was developed under budget, costing €170 million against a budgeted investment of €200 million. China National Building Materials was the project’s engineering, procurement, and construction contractor, while Jetion supplied the PV modules.
Portugal hopes that projects such as these will help to reduce the soaring energy prices facing Europe recently. The Portuguese minister of environment and climate action, João Pedro Matos Fernandes, stated: “We are deeply concerned with the increase in the price of gas, a fuel that continues to be a significant source of energy production in Portugal and which contributes to setting the price of electricity. However, we know very well how to stave off high prices: by supporting projects like this one.”