Siemens Concentrated Solar Power Ltd. (formerly Solel Solar Systems) has won a $50 million contract from Spain's Termosolar Borges SA to build a 22.5-megawatt solar energy farm in Catalonia. This is the company's third recent contract in Spain, following two projects worth $150 million.
Siemens Concentrated Solar Power CEO Avi Brenmiller told "Globes" that the contract came after a three-year effort. "We began building our first project in Spain in 2008. That project is now in the final construction stage and is due to join the Spanish grid in October. This power plant uses two-fuel technology, allowing it to generate electricity even when the sun does not shine."
Siemens is the sole contractor for the new project, Abantia, including construction of the solar reflectors and collectors. The solar farm will be built at Les Borges Blanques near Barcelona. The Abantia project will use a hybrid solar and biomass energy model. It is due to come online in 2012. It will supply electricity to 30,000 households.
Earlier this month, Siemens Concentrated Solar Power sold its 50-megawatt solar energy field in Andalusia. The power station is due to come online in 2013.
Commenting on the company's successes in Spain, which is struggling with a financial crisis, Brenmiller said, "Although the new solar field is smaller, what is nice about it is that it can use both solar and biomass energy. Although Spain is undergoing a difficult economic situation, the government is continuing to seek alternative energy solutions."
Siemens currently operates Spanish solar energy fields with a total output of 122.5 megawatts. The company's energy division had €28 billion revenue.
Siemens acquired Solel Solar in 2009 for $418 million.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on September 20, 2011
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