The companies Iberdrola and Naturgy have initiated the regulatory procedure to assess the development of a new pumped-storage hydropower plant in the autonomous community of Galicia. Through their joint venture A Senra Infraestructuras, both companies formalized an application with the Miño-Sil River Basin Authority to obtain a concession for a flow of up to 75,000 liters per second from the Sil and Edrada rivers. The planned action is located in the municipality of Parada de Sil, in the province of Ourense.
Processing of the pumped-storage hydropower plant in the Miño-Sil basin
The official progress has been registered following publication of the corresponding notice in the Official State Gazette, opening a period of public information and project competition. Over a one-month period, various entities in the energy sector may submit alternative proposals to the Water Commission of the Miño-Sil River Basin Authority. The decision on the case file will determine the initial technical feasibility of the proposed uses.
At present, the Sil River basin consolidates a long-standing track record in hydropower generation within Galicia. In the same area, Naturgy operates the Regueiro hydropower plant, a facility in operation since 1949 with a net capacity of 28.64 MW associated with the Mao River. In parallel, Iberdrola manages the Santo Estevo hydropower complex, whose total output reaches 451 MW across its two operational phases.
Likewise, the project’s progress will be conditioned by the final granting of water rights and the establishment of a capacity payments market in the Spanish power system. Pumped-storage infrastructure is essential to provide flexibility, support renewable deployment, and ensure energy supply. However, the corporations have specified that the final investment decision will depend on the remuneration and regulatory guarantees governing these large-scale facilities.
Source: BOE
Photo: Shutterstock
