The Port Authority of València (PAV) is steadily proceeding with the construction of its second solar photovoltaic plant, situated on the rooftop of the vehicle silo within the VTE concession area on the East Dock.
Already visible at the Spanish port’s base, this installation commenced in March 2023 and is anticipated to conclude in the final quarter of the current financial year.
The primary objective of this initiative is to propel the Port of València’s sustainable energy agenda forward, with the plant projected to generate approximately 11% of the port’s total electricity consumption.
This endeavour aligns with a collaborative strategy between PAV and the Grimaldi Group (holders of the VTE concession) aimed at advancing decarbonization efforts and achieving the Zero Emissions Objective within Valencian docks.
Execution of the photovoltaic plant falls under the responsibility of a joint venture comprising Lantania S.A.U and Tecmo Instalaciones, with the Port Authority of València investing approximately US$14 million. Financing for the project stems from the European Union’s Next Generation funds and the Spanish Government’s Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan.
Moreover, the solar plant spans an area of 27,700 square meters, equivalent to nearly five football fields, situated on the roof of the terminal operated by VTE, a Grimaldi Group subsidiary.
This infrastructure will accommodate 10,773 photovoltaic modules mounted on a metallic structure inclined at four degrees and oriented towards the south. Two transformation centres will house four transformers, consisting of two units rated at 1,250 kilovoltamperes (kVA) each and another two at 1,600 kVA. Anticipated to produce approximately 9,000 MWh/year, this installation is poised to supply about 11% of the Port of València’s electricity needs.
In tandem with this solar park, the Grimaldi business group is engaged in several collaborative endeavours with the Port Authority of València and the Valenciaport Foundation. These include hydrogen projects and the implementation of Onshore Power Supply (OPS) at the Transmed terminals, enabling vessels to connect to the electricity grid while docked in the port.
The solar plant currently under construction within the vehicle silo of the VTE concession on the East Dock marks the Port of València’s second photovoltaic project awarded by the PAV. The initial installation, already undergoing testing, resides at the Príncipe Felipe dock and is a collaborative effort between PAVASAL and PAVENER.
Expected to generate 2,353 MWh/year, equivalent to 3% of the port’s electrical needs, this first park contributes significantly to the Port of Valencia’s pursuit of cleaner energy sources. With these two plants combined, the Port of Valencia anticipates meeting 14% of its electricity demands.
Furthermore, Valenciaport is exploring additional sites for a potential third photovoltaic installation within the Valencian precinct, aiming for even greater utilization of renewable energy sources by 2030, ultimately striving for zero emissions.
In parallel, the Port of Gandia is on the brink of operationalizing its own solar plant situated in ‘Tinglado 4’, covering an area of 4,500 square meters and boasting a capacity of 990 MWh/year. This development positions the Port of Gandia as a pioneer among European ports, poised to achieve energy self-sufficiency.
Along these lines, the solar plant of the Port of Gandia, located in ‘Tinglado 4’ on a surface area of 4,500 square metres, with a capacity of 990 MWh/year, is expected to come into operation shortly. This installation will make the Port of Gandia the first European port to be energy self-sufficient.
