Balearic Islands expect six of 326 MW of SOLBAL projects online by end 2020

Spain’s Balearic Islands expect to connect at least six photovoltaic (PV) parks by the end of 2020, realising the first projects of the 326-MW SOLBAL solar programme.

The local government said Wednesday that seven SOLBAL projects are currently under construction on the islands, but the six that take up little surface space will likely start operations this year.

The 1st SOLBAL programme, a EUR-40-million (USD 44.9m) subsidy scheme, awarded funds to 55 PV projects last autumn. It was supported by the Institute for Diversification and Saving of Energy (IDAE), a Spanish government agency, and co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF),

The SOLBAL plants will be constructed on all four largest islands within the next two years, helping the archipelago lift its renewables share to 10% in 2023 from 3% in 2018, the government said.

It added that it has received applications for a further 15 solar projects totalling 300 MW of additional capacity, which can be processed through the second call for the SOLBAL aid.

At present, the Balearic Islands have 38 PV parks in operation, 35 of which are in Mallorca. The islands of Menorca and Formentera have two and one, respectively, while Ibiza has none.

(EUR 1.0 = USD 1.123)

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