Renewable energy generation is already operating at full capacity at the Stellantis plant in Figueruelas. The Zaragoza subsidiary of the automotive giant aims to cover 80% of its energy needs with its own green power by the end of 2023. This transformation reduces one of Aragon’s largest energy expenditures and arrives at a moment when wholesale electricity and gas prices are surging, driven by recent global events.
The shift toward energy self-sufficiency at Figueruelas is rapid. Following the first stage of the solar park, which accounted for about 20% of the plant’s consumption, the second phase was unveiled to the press on Thursday. About one-third of the total project cost was funded by external partners. In total, roughly 35,000 solar panels spread over 163,000 square meters are expected to prevent the release of around 4,200 tons of CO2 annually.
There is still work to do, as the Zaragoza plant leadership aims for 80% self-sufficiency. Aiming for 100% is not currently feasible due to the scale of investment required for such an expansion. The existing solar plan will be complemented by a large wind turbine facility planned for September. The renewable infrastructure sits entirely on industrial land adjacent to the company’s vast Figueruelas industrial complex.
before 2024
The ecological transition is moving fast, and Stellantis has set an ambitious timetable for the Zaragoza facility. The renewable park was targeted to be completed by the end of 2023. With the completion of its first two phases, the Figueruelas project stands as a leading self-consumption initiative in the Spanish automotive sector. Its progress also positions it to attract future investment, potentially making it one of the major European exemplars for industrial energy independence. Rising energy costs underscore the value of self-consumption as a hedge against inflation. The head of renewable energy projects at the Figueruelas plant summarized the goal: the project aims to cut energy expenses dramatically, helping reduce overall vehicle production costs.
The incorporation of electric vehicle manufacturing processes at Figueruelas highlights the financial benefits of lower energy costs. Reducing energy expense helps make cars more affordable in a market where energy cost pressures have grown. As the plant director explained, energy once represented a smaller share of production costs, but recent trends have pushed that share higher, underscoring the potential savings from in-house generation.
An installation currently generating 16 mW of power
The southern section of the facility houses 15,600 new photovoltaic modules spread over 76,000 square meters. With an installed capacity of 8.01 MW, the Zaragoza site is projected to meet 14% of its energy needs from solar power. Including the first phase, the site now covers 163,000 square meters with 34,800 solar panels, delivering a total photovoltaic capacity of 16.65 MW. This means nearly one-third of the factory’s annual energy consumption will come from the renewable source.
The new solar installation joins a portfolio of photovoltaic self-consumption projects operated by an independent energy producer, Prosolia Energy, under an Energy Management framework. In 2020, Prosolia signed an initial 8.6 MW power purchase agreement with Stellantis for the Zaragoza plant. After a successful commissioning in 2021, the project expanded with the new 8.01 MW solar installation.