Large-scale solar photovoltaic plants in the Basque Country
Solar photovoltaic energy is now recognised as one of the pillars of the Basque energy transition. The Basque energy agency, Ente Vasco de la Energía (EVE) is promoting large-scale projects that contribute to reducing emissions, increasing renewable generation and moving towards a more sustainable and competitive energy model.
One of the most iconic sites is BEC Solar at the Bilbao Exhibition Centre. The facility was commissioned in 2023 and following recent expansion now produces almost 3MW. There are also new battery storage systems to optimise self-consumption and improve the way the energy is managed.
Another important facility is the Ekian solar park, opened in Arasur in 2020, which has more than 67,000 solar panels and 24 MW installed. The plant has annual production of around 40,000 MWh, enough to meet the electricity demand of around 15,000 homes. Another solar farm under development is Ekienea, which once completed, will have 100MW of installed capacity — the largest of any solar plant in the Basque Country. Finally, Eguzkind has been operational since 2023. With several installations, it has a combined capacity of 21 MW.
In addition, through its aid programmes, EVE has provided support for installation of PV systems on the roofs of industrial buildings, with capacity ratings ranging from 1.5 MW to 4 MW. The aim is to foster distributed generation and business participation in the energy transition.
If the solar farms themselves are growing, so too is the technology. Advances in high-efficiency panels (e.g. bifacial cells) are enabling more energy to be generated in a smaller space. Battery storage has become a key element, ensuring stability and allowing the power to be used even when there is no sun. In addition, digitalisation and intelligent monitoring are optimising performance and facilitating predictive maintenance. These trends —together with the incorporation of solar farms in urban environments and a reduction in costs —are helping to confirm solar energy’s position as an essential pillar of the Basque energy transition.
