Iberia, Nestle turn to solar for on-site generation at Spanish facilities

Spanish flag carrier airline Iberia and food and drinks producer Nestle Espana SA have gone for solar on-site generation systems in a bid to improve energy efficiency and contribute to their 2050 net zero emission targets.

Iberia recently announced it would install 5,374 of solar panels totalling 2 MWp atop its aircraft engine maintenance hangar at the Madrid airport.

The airline has partnered with specialist firm Getting Greener to realise the project, which it said will pay for itself through energy savings.

Installation of the rooftop system will start in the final quarter of 2020, while commissioning is due next year. Once in operation, the solar panels will generate up to 2.7 million kWh each year to supply Iberia’s hangars, workshops and offices.

The Spanish subsidiary of Nestle SA (SWX:NESN) will set up a ground-mounted solar array to generate more than 700 kWp for the roast coffee processing plant in Reus, the company said.

Distributed energy specialist Enertika has been chosen to install more than 1,500 photovoltaic (PV) panels on the factory grounds, operate and manage the system under a power purchase agreement (PPA).

Once online in the first half of 2021, the solar array will generate enough power to meet 36% of the factory’s annual consumption needs. Additionally, the Reus factory will combine on-site generation with purchases of green electricity.

Nestle said that all ten of its factories in Spain, including the one in Reus, already purchase power from renewable sources.

Choose your newsletter by Renewables Now. Join for free!