Solar Photovoltaic Plant La Garnacha (Zamora) | ERG & Google PPA

The Garnacha Solar Photovoltaic Plant is one of the most prominent renewable infrastructures in Castilla y León, located in the municipality of Toro (Zamora). This project represents a milestone in Spain’s energy transition, not only for its generation capacity of 149 MWp, but also for its commercial relevance as it is linked to a major power purchase agreement (PPA) with the technology giant Google.

Originally developed by the subsidiary of the German ib vogt GmbH, the plant was acquired in 2023 by the Italian group ERG, consolidating its presence in the Spanish market. The installation covers an area of approximately 224 hectares and plays a crucial role in supplying clean energy for the technology sector and the national grid.

Technical Summary Sheet

Feature	Detail
Project Name	Garnacha Solar
Location	Toro, Zamora (Spain)
Owner / Operator	ERG (acquired from ib vogt)
Peak Power (DC)	149 MWp
Nominal Power (AC)	114.4 MW (Grid access)
Approx. Investment	> 100 Million €
Est. Annual Production	~280 GWh
Equivalent homes	53,000 homes/year
Commissioning	End of 2023

The PPA Agreement with Google: A Strategic Milestone

One of the most sought-after and relevant aspects of the La Garnacha plant is its business model. Google signed a 12-year corporate power purchase agreement (PPA) with ERG.

Through this contract, Google will acquire approximately 70% of the electricity produced by the plant. This energy is used to offset the electricity consumption of the company’s data centers and offices, contributing to its goal of operating with carbon-free energy 24/7 by 2030. The remaining 30% of production is fed into the wholesale electricity market.

Components and Installed Technology

The plant stands out for using cutting-edge technology to maximize performance on the Zamoran plateau. The main components are detailed below:

• Generation: It has 333,315 photovoltaic modules.
• Panel Model: Monocrystalline Canadian Solar CS3W-450MS modules of 450 Wp have been used. These panels offer a minimum efficiency of 20.37% under standard conditions.
• Structures and Trackers: To optimize solar capture, solar trackers from the Spanish manufacturer PVH (PV Hardware) have been installed, specifically the PVH-MONOLITE 3H model.
  • Backtracking: This system allows a rotation angle of ± 55° and includes “backtracking” algorithms to prevent the panels from shading each other during sunrise and sunset.
• Grid Connection: The energy is fed into the grid through a 30 kV line that connects to the Valdecarretas Substation (30/400kV) of Red Eléctrica de España (REE).

History and Allocation (REER Auctions)

The project demonstrated its economic viability from its inception. In the first auction of the Renewable Energy Economic Regime (REER) in January 2021, Garnacha Solar S.L. was one of the big winners, being awarded 150 MW divided into three blocks with very competitive prices for the time:

1. Block 1 (40 MW): 23.11 €/MWh
2. Block 2 (40 MW): 23.86 €/MWh
3. Block 3 (70 MW): 23.94 €/MWh

Sustainability and Biodiversity

Beyond electricity generation, the project was designed by ARRAM CONSULTORES under strict sustainability and landscape integration criteria.

Environmental Integration and “Solar Grazing”

The plant promotes dual use of the land. Solar Grazing has been implemented, allowing local sheep to graze within the enclosure, which helps with natural vegetation control and reduces fire risk without using machinery or herbicides.

Other measures include:

• Carbon Footprint: Estimated at only 29.8 gCO2/kWh (life cycle analysis), drastically lower than fossil sources.
• Wildlife Protection: Installation of nest boxes, ponds for amphibians, and preservation of stone piles.
• Flora: Sowing of native and pollinator species to support local beekeeping.

Circular Economy and Recycling

At the end of its useful life (estimated at 30 years), the project guarantees responsible management:

• The modules have a recovery rate of over 95% (glass, aluminum and silicon).
• The project is enrolled in the PVCycle program to ensure certified recycling.

Socioeconomic Impact in Toro

The construction and operation of La Garnacha has provided a boost to the Toro region and the province of Zamora, areas affected by depopulation.

• Local Employment: During the construction and operation phase, priority was given to hiring residents of Castilla y León (target of 40%) and specifically from the local region (20%).
• Supply Chain: A procurement strategy was established to favor national (20%) and regional (15%) suppliers, strengthening the Spanish industrial fabric.

Decommissioning Plan

The project has a guarantee and a technical plan (Annex II) that ensures that, after the plant’s useful life, the land will be returned to its original state within an estimated period of 9 months. This includes the complete removal of foundations, management of transformer oils, and regeneration of the vegetation layer.