Largest Solar Tower Plant Begins Operation

Seville, 23 September 2009 – Their Majesties, Don Juan Carlos and Doña Sofía, today presided over the inauguration of Abengoa’s PS20 solar plant, the largest commercial solar tower plant in the world, located at the Solúcar Platform in Sanlúcar la Mayor, Seville. The event was attended by the President of the Regional Government of Andalusia, José Antonio Griñán Martínez, and the Minister of Innovation, Development and Science, Cristina Garmendia.

The Chairman of Abengoa, Felipe Benjumea, explained the functioning and the advantages of tower technology, a mature solution that offers the most efficient performance compared to other similar technologies, by concentrating solar radiation onto a single spot.

During his speech, Abengoa’s Chairman pointed out that the plant’s operations “are based on generating electricity by obtaining heat from solar radiation. More than 1,000 mirrors, each one 120 square metres in size, placed at the base of the tower, track the sun just like sunflowers”.

The 20 megawatts of power produces enough clean energy to supply 10,000 homes, preventing the emission of approximately 12,000 tonnes of CO₂ into the atmosphere per annum. Felipe Benjumea added that “energy in the 21st century has to be clean with no greenhouse gas emissions; competitive, internalising all costs, including from the CO₂; and storable. These three conditions have all been fulfilled here and we believe that this is the real future for today, a possible future”.

The Solúcar Platform also houses a research centre that develops new photovoltaic and thermal technologies, which employs more than 70 scientists and engineers. Thanks to this centre, Spain and Europe are at the forefront of new technologies, which are revolutionising the possibilities for generating electricity from the sun.

Abengoa is a technology company that applies innovative solutions to sustainable development in the infrastructures, environment and energy sectors. It is public listed company and its five business groups of Solar Energy, Bioenergy, Environmental Services, Information Technology, and Industrial Engineering and Construction operate in more than 70 countries (www.abengoa.com).

Communications Contact
Patricia Malo de Molina
Tel. +34 954 93 71 11
E-mail: comunicacion@abengoa.com

Loreto González Goizueta
Tel. +34 954 93 71 11
E-mail: comunicacion@abengoa.com