Fregenal de la Sierra:Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC - Masdar and Endesa have commenced construction on three battery energy storage projects in Spain. These projects aim to add 60.16 megawatts (MW) of battery storage capacity and 120.34 megawatt-hours (MWh) of storage to solar plants located in Extremadura and Andalusia, with a total investment of £25.2 million.
According to Emirates News Agency, the projects are expected to be operational by the end of 2027. The initiatives include the Ardila project at the 44 MWp solar plants in Fregenal de la Sierra (Badajoz) and the La Vega I and La Vega II projects at two solar plants in Teba (Málaga). The battery storage solutions will enable the integration of more renewable energy into the grid and enhance the flexibility of the electricity system.
These initiatives mark the first storage developments under the partnership between Masdar and Endesa, which began in 2024 when Masdar acquired a stake in a portfolio of Endesa's photovoltaic assets in Spain. Dr. Ibraheem Almansouri, Acting COO of Masdar, highlighted that Spain's rapid economic growth requires resilient power solutions and that these projects will contribute to a stable electricity system while promoting clean energy.
The projects will utilize lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries with grid-forming inverters, a technology that provides synthetic inertia and supports grid stability. The Ardila project will feature 36.10 MW (72.20 MWh) of storage capacity, enough to supply the daily electricity needs of approximately 8,100 Spanish households. Meanwhile, La Vega I and La Vega II will each provide 12.03 MW (24.07 MWh), together covering the daily consumption of about 5,400 households.
During construction, 50 jobs will be created with a focus on using European-origin components and services. Additionally, the Ardila project will involve collaboration with the Fregenal de la Sierra Town Council for local improvement projects and training initiatives.
Research and technical validation will be conducted in partnership with CIRCE and the Institute for Research in Technology (IIT) at Comillas Pontifical University to ensure effective grid-forming operations. Masdar, which currently has 4.1 GW of operational capacity across the Iberian Peninsula, is committed to scaling renewable energy deployment and aims for 100 GW of global capacity by 2030.
