"There is enormous potential for green development cooperation between China and the West" Alcores | Photovoltaic Power Station | Potential
At noon, walking into the Alcores photovoltaic power plant in Spain, the deep blue photovoltaic panels automatically rotate with the sun, absorbing the maximum amount of light. In the shade under the photovoltaic panels, there are resting sheep. The power station is operated by China Three Gorges Group and covers an area of 1.14 million square meters, achieving multiple goals such as economy and environmental protection in daily operation.
Spain has approximately 3000 hours of sunshine per year, making it one of the regions with the best lighting conditions in Europe. In recent years, the Spanish government has vigorously promoted the development of the clean energy industry. According to data from the Spanish power grid company, in terms of power generation structure, clean energy accounted for 42% in Spain last year and is expected to reach 50% this year. The vast market and superior natural conditions also attract Chinese clean energy enterprises. In 2021, China Three Gorges Group acquired a photovoltaic power generation cluster consisting of 13 photovoltaic power stations, including the Alcores photovoltaic power station, in Spain, with a total installed capacity of 572 megawatts and an average annual power generation of about 1 billion kilowatt hours. Since its commercial operation in December 2019, the photovoltaic power generation cluster has generated approximately 3.5 billion kilowatt hours of electricity.
During the reporter's interview, the Alcores photovoltaic power plant was undergoing equipment cleaning every six months. A heavy-duty cleaning vehicle shuttled back and forth, completing the cleaning of about 200 photovoltaic panels in less than an hour. Operations technician Jose Rodin showed reporters that by lightly clicking on the control program on the phone, the "automatic" mode on the interface can be switched to the "cleaning" mode. The photovoltaic panel in front of him starts to slowly rotate, reaching the tilt angle set by the program, and then the cleaning process begins.
Alejandro Calderon, the asset management manager of Three Gorges Europe, who has been deeply involved in the power industry for more than 20 years, told reporters that the clean energy industry technology is advancing rapidly and has now achieved highly digital management. "Spanish companies have already chosen Chinese photovoltaic panels and smart inverters during the construction phase. Chinese products have high technological content, long lifespan, and long warranty periods."
Calderon pointed to the white inverter box and introduced that this inverter, designed and produced by a Chinese company, has wireless communication function and is also the world's first inverter to pass Spanish certification testing, which means its performance can meet any type of photovoltaic power station in Spain. The function of the inverter is to convert the direct current output from the photovoltaic panel into alternating current for integration into the power grid. Calderon said, "There is no doubt that China is already in a leading position globally in the photovoltaic industry and even in the field of new energy."
Most photovoltaic power stations are located in open plains, and the site is prone to overgrowth of weeds. "After taking over the Alcores photovoltaic power station, with the help of local employees, we found a nearby herdsman named Miguel and allowed more than 1500 sheep from Miguel's family to graze at the power station. This not only solved the problem of weeds but also helped herdsmen solve their feeding problems, truly achieving mutual benefit and win-win. There is huge potential for cooperation in green development between China and the West," Wan Ming, Deputy Chief Engineer of Three Gorges Europe, told reporters.
Spanish Minister of Transport, Transport and Urban Agenda, Raquel Sanchez, stated that promoting green and low-carbon economic and social development is a common vision of Spain and China. "Spain warmly welcomes Chinese companies to invest and negotiate cooperation.".
