Herb Stellantis notes a plan for a self-supply hybrid park in Figueruelas built from sun and wind. This would be the largest of its kind in Europe before 2024. The site will host roughly 35,000 photovoltaic panels, with a new installation slated for December, and four wind turbines. The Zaragoza factory aims to generate 56 megawatts of electricity from clean energy provided by Prosolia Energy. The plant, which produces a car every 35 seconds, would be powered by its own energy mix.
The plant leadership describes the project as ambitious. Manuel Munárriz, who will steer the plant through October 1 after a promotion, affirms that the Zaragoza facility will guide Europe’s automotive sector toward decarbonization in production processes. Rising energy costs and the electrification push within Stellantis align with the EU 2030 mandate to shift toward electric vehicles. Munárriz explained these plans during a recent visit by the Spanish consortium, noting that the electric vehicle claims were submitted to a PERTE program.
By leveraging about 1,800 equivalent sunshine hours and 3,500 wind hours annually, Stellantis targets 30.8 MW of solar power and 25.4 MW from wind sources. The Zaragoza plant’s electricity use for 2024 will reflect these efforts.
Carlos Tavares, CEO of Stellantis, has pledged a path to zero emissions by 2038, a commitment echoed by the Zaragoza team. The approach calls for action across the entire production chain, with Zaragoza positioned as a pioneer. The company intends to halve emissions by 2030 and then push further toward full decarbonization. Figueruelas is already sketching a plan to cut its carbon footprint by 80 percent by 2030 and aims for 100 percent reduction through renewable energy, reduced consumption, and decarbonization actions.
The new green facility, located toward the southern area of the current plant, will include 15,600 photovoltaic modules with an installed capacity of 8.01 MW. These figures will be integrated into the first phase, where the initial solar park will surpass 163,000 square meters, equivalent to 23 football fields, and reduce about a third of Figueruelas’ electricity costs. In December, the final solar phase will begin, adding a second macro installation in the northern area that will generate 14 MW.
Wind turbines are not slated for completion until 2023. Ongoing measurements determine whether it is feasible to place these large turbines on the extensive plant land. The two phases will install two 5.7 MW windmills in the southern region in the first phase, followed by two additional 7 MW turbines in the northwest. The factory is scheduled to become operational in December 2023.
40 million investment
Investment totals reach 40 million euros, though Stellantis will not finance the entire project directly. The automaker has reached an agreement with Prosolia Energy, an Alicante-based company, to supply electricity for at least the next 15 years. Under this arrangement, Stellantis Zaragoza provides the land while ownership of the solar plates and wind turbines remains with Prosolia, which will undertake the major investment and distribute energy to the Figueruelas plant.
Plant management is exploring options beyond the current plan to reach full electrical self-sufficiency. Battery storage could play a crucial role, though details remain scarce. Some observers suggest that the move toward self-consumption reflects already changing energy and gas prices, while Munárriz notes that the strategy was conceived well before the Ukraine conflict but current price dynamics accelerate storage-related decisions. Gas usage is being reduced as much as possible.
Energy experts highlight that the project is part of a broader trend toward on-site generation in manufacturing. In this case, a combined solar and wind solution supports factory operations while aligning with regulatory goals and market pressures. The collaboration with Prosolia Energy positions Figueruelas as a notable example of industrial decarbonization in Europe. The ongoing transition is expected to influence energy planning across the Stellantis network and other automotive facilities in the region.
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