We Officially Inaugurate Our Caparacena Project in Granada
The Minister of Industry, Energy, and Mines of the Andalusian Government, Jorge Paradela, together with the mayors of Pinos Puente and Atarfe, José Enrique Medina and Yolanda Fernández, has inaugurated today the IGNIS Photovoltaic Project in Caparacena, located between the municipalities of Pinos Puente and Atarfe. This project will produce renewable energy equivalent to the annual consumption of more than 80,000 households.
The event was attended by Manuel González, CEO of IGNIS Renovables, Antonio Morales, Regional Director in Andalusia, the IGNIS team involved in the development of the project, collaborating companies, as well as various authorities and local residents.
The new facility will contribute to the energy transition and reduce approximately 100,000 tons of CO2 emissions and other greenhouse gases annually.
Top-tier companies participated in the construction of the plant, fostering local economic development through collaborations with other sector companies, job creation, and boosting local economic activity.
During the construction phase, an average of 170 jobs were created, with peaks exceeding 300 workers.
This process included hiring 31 people at risk of social exclusion, four of whom have secured permanent contracts for the operation and maintenance of the plant.
The project’s location was carefully selected to minimize its environmental and social impact, receiving consensus from administrations and related entities in favor of its execution, along with unanimous agreement from the landowners of the plant site.
The project design aimed to minimize the visual impact of the installation so that the plants have minimal visibility from urban centers and major communication routes.
Additionally, the project has achieved minimal environmental impact due to the absence of significant environmental values in the area or the presence of protected species, thus providing an alternative use for the land without affecting other economic activities.
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Granada, March 18 – The Minister of Industry, Jorge Paradela, together with José Enrique Medina and Yolanda Fernández, mayors of Pinos Puente and Atarfe, respectively, and Manuel González Ortega, CEO of IGNIS Renovables, has inaugurated the Photovoltaic Project promoted by IGNIS in Caparacena, Granada province, between the municipalities of Pinos Puente and Atarfe. With an installed capacity of 150 MW, the facility will generate 266 GWh/year, equivalent to the annual consumption of more than 80,000 homes. This production will contribute to the energy transition, promoting the reduction of approximately 100,000 tons of CO2 emissions and other greenhouse gases annually.
“With the Caparacena project, we take another step in our commitment to the energy transition and sustainable development, providing clean energy to the electric system and contributing to decarbonization,” said Manuel González Ortega, CEO of IGNIS Renovables. “Caparacena is an emblematic project for three reasons. First, for the strong institutional support it has received, as we have found a favorable environment with close collaboration from all involved administrations. Second, for its example of territorial integration; we are proud of how this project has been linked and integrated into its surroundings, thanks to the joint efforts of everyone present here. And third, for the human team that made it possible, after the exceptional work of IGNIS people in this project. The Caparacena project has been 100% IGNIS from its inception, through all development and construction phases, and now in the operation and maintenance of the plants,” he added.
Additionally, Antonio Morales Medina, territorial director of IGNIS in Andalusia, particularly highlighted the spirit of collaboration and support found throughout the project’s development, especially during the authorization process. He acknowledged the contributions of the Andalusian Government’s Ministry of Industry, Energy, and Mines, the Ministry of Sustainability and Environment, other involved ministries, and the municipalities of Pinos Puente and Atarfe. “This project would never have been possible without the collaboration of all agents involved in its development, processing, construction, and now its launch and operation. IGNIS’s commitment is today presented as the result of a collective effort,” explained Antonio Morales.
The commissioning of IGNIS projects in Caparacena marks a significant step in achieving decarbonization goals and combating climate change. Furthermore, it increases the installed renewable capacity in Andalusia by 150 MW, making it a key driver of economic activity in the Granada region while fostering job creation and social well-being.
With an investment exceeding 70 million euros, the Caparacena project began its processing in 2019 and comprises three photovoltaic plants: Coracha Solar, covering 93 hectares with a peak power of 48 MWp; Cimera Solar, spanning 78 hectares with a peak power of 48 MWp; and Alambor Solar, also 78 hectares, with a peak power of 52 MWp.
Project Location and Environmental Commitment
The project’s location, between Pinos Puente and Atarfe, was carefully selected to minimize its environmental and social impact, with full consensus from the administrations and related entities in favor of its execution, along with unanimous agreement from all affected landowners and the majority of those impacted by evacuation infrastructures.
The project design sought to minimize the visual impact of the installation, ensuring that the plants remain minimally visible from urban centers and major communication routes. Additionally, its environmental impact is very low due to the absence of significant environmental values or the presence of protected species, thus providing an alternative use for the land without affecting other economic activities. Lastly, as it is located only 2 kilometers from the connection point to the Transport Network, the impact of evacuation infrastructure development has also been minimized.
Compromiso social y repercusión económica
Social Commitment and Economic Impact
During the construction phase, peak employment exceeded 300 workers, with an average of 170 employees across the three solar plants. Following the IGNIS Commitment Plan, which promotes the inclusion of vulnerable groups in the renewable energy sector and supports employment in rural areas, the company worked closely with local social organizations such as Fundación Don Bosco, Colegio San Juan Bosco Granada, Cáritas Diocesana de Granada, Inserta Andalucía, the Pinos Puente City Council, and the Red Cross. As a result, 63 people at risk of exclusion were identified and participated in photovoltaic training and occupational risk prevention courses (60 hours) promoted by IGNIS, with tailored pathways for their employment integration. Ultimately, 31 individuals at risk of social exclusion were hired, four of whom have secured permanent contracts for the operation and maintenance of the plant during its lifetime.
Furthermore, the project’s execution involved top-tier companies such as Grupo Semi, Tecinsa, Elecnor, and FCC, boosting the growth of numerous local and regional energy sector companies (Radian Topografía, Jabalcón, iElo Proyectos e Instalaciones, Cefinsur, Cansol Energy Solutions, Senerca, and Grupo Trevenque). This initiative also contributed to increased municipal revenues, exceeding 4 million euros for the municipalities and residents of Pinos Puente (3.7M€) and Atarfe (0.4M€), solely from the promoter’s direct contribution. This figure could surpass 560,000 euros annually due to the economic impact generated by the project’s activities.
Large-scale renewable energy generation projects like IGNIS in Caparacena not only drive economic development but also enhance the region’s attractiveness for new industrial and technological initiatives related to renewable energy use. The installation of these photovoltaic plants lays the foundation for further projects within its value chain, such as hybridization with batteries, hydrogen and derivative production, or data processing centers.
