English SSE Renewable Energy Resources arrived in Spain with a landmark achievement: the country’s first onshore wind farm. The site at Santa Engracia del Jubera in La Rioja will host 11 turbines from the German manufacturer Nordex, delivering about 64 MW of installed capacity. Is that the whole picture? Not quite. The venture followed the company’s acquisition of a 2.4 GW wind and land portfolio in Southern Europe in 2022, and its progress continued with construction kicking off in September in northeastern France at Chaintrix-Bierges and Vélye.
SSE Renewables is the project developer and operator focusing on renewable energy across the United Kingdom and Ireland. As the renewables arm of SSE plc, a company listed on the UK stock market, it manages an expansive portfolio that includes onshore wind, offshore wind, and hydroelectric generation. The current installed capacity sits around 4.5 GW, producing roughly 10 TWh of electricity, with ambitions to grow toward a 15 GW footprint. The strategy envisions investing about €8 billion by 2027 to increase installed capacity by roughly 9 GW.
Aiming to become a prominent British developer in Spain, SSE Renewables is advancing a 320 MW renewables portfolio within the country. The development includes the Jubera project and other early civil works in La Rioja, with construction work slated to progress toward completion and operation within the next two years, targeting 2025 for startup. The plan anticipates a long-term operational life of about 30 years.
“Spain represents a vital market for SSE Renewables,” stated the head of Development and Construction for Southern Europe. The message emphasized the goal to support Spain in reaching its renewable energy targets through the 320 MW pipeline under development.
“The wind farm construction has begun at Santa Engracia del Jubera, marking a significant milestone for the company in this country and underscoring a broader commitment to expanding access to renewable energy globally,” remarked the general manager of development in Spain for SSE Renewables. The comments reflected a shared ambition to lead the transition to net zero through development, investment, construction, and operation of renewable energy projects in Spain.
environmental monitoring
During the construction phase, SSE Renewables implements an environmental monitoring program led by a dedicated environmental professional. After operations commence, the information will be accessible on site, including a system to detect bird collisions and prevent turbine strikes. The program also utilizes thermal imaging cameras with three dimensional night vision to monitor bat activity, enabling stepwise actions to pause operations if necessary to protect wildlife and equipment.
Company estimates suggest that once the wind farm is fully online, the project will generate enough low-carbon electricity to power approximately 55,000 homes each year and will offset around 34,000 metric tons of carbon annually from electricity generation. In addition, the region is expected to see revenue surpassing €200 million, alongside around 200 direct and indirect full-time jobs linked to the project.