Overview
Andasol Solar Power Station is a concentrated solar power (CSP) plant located near Guadix, Spain. It is one of Europe's first commercial parabolic trough plants, with a capacity of 150 MW.
Andasol Solar Power Station is a concentrated solar power (CSP) facility located near Guadix in the province of Granada, Spain. It is one of the first commercial parabolic trough plants in Europe, with a total installed capacity of 150 MW. The plant consists of three units (Andasol 1, 2, and 3), each with a capacity of 50 MW, and is situated in the sun-rich region of Andalusia. The plant uses parabolic trough technology with thermal energy storage, allowing it to generate electricity even after sunset. Each unit includes a molten salt storage system that provides up to 7.5 hours of full-load operation. This storage capability makes Andasol a key player in grid stability and renewable energy integration in Spain. The facility operates under Spain's regulatory framework for renewable energy, which includes feed-in tariffs and support for CSP technology. Andasol Solar Power Station contributes significantly to Spain's renewable energy targets under the EU Renewable Energy Directive. By displacing fossil fuel generation, it helps reduce carbon emissions and supports the regional energy transition. The plant's location in a high-solar-irradiance area maximizes its efficiency, and its storage capability enhances grid reliability, making it a model for CSP deployment in Mediterranean climates.
Environmental context
The Andasol plant is located in a semi-arid region of southern Spain with high solar irradiance, ideal for CSP technology. The facility's land use involves large mirror arrays, which can impact local ecosystems and visual landscape. However, the plant's thermal storage reduces the need for backup fossil fuel generation, lowering overall emissions. Water use for mirror cleaning and cooling is a consideration in this dry region, but the plant employs dry cooling to minimize water consumption.
Frequently asked questions
Andasol Solar Power Station is located near Guadix in the province of Granada, Andalusia, southern Spain.
Andasol Solar Power Station has a total installed capacity of 150 MW, divided into three units of 50 MW each.
Andasol uses molten salt thermal energy storage, allowing up to 7.5 hours of full-load electricity generation after sunset.
Spain's renewable energy framework includes feed-in tariffs and support for CSP technology, aligned with the EU Renewable Energy Directive's 42.5% renewable target by 2030.
Andasol reduces carbon emissions by displacing fossil fuel generation and enhances grid stability with its storage capability, supporting Spain's renewable energy transition.