Galp has awarded the construction of its first large-scale photovoltaic solar energy project in Portugal, in the Municipality of Alcoutim, to the consortium formed by Jayme da Costa and Visabeira, thus opening a new front in its process of transformation into an increasingly more sustainable company.
The project, with a total expected installed power of 144 megawatts, comprises four photovoltaic plants that extend over an area of 250 hectares. The estimated annual production capacity is 250,000 megawatt-hours of electricity, enough to supply more than 80,000 families and avoid the emission of 75,000 tons of CO2 per year.
“The start of construction of our first major project in this area in Portugal is a sign of Galp's commitment to transforming the country's energy sector to a more sustainable model,” said Susana Quintana Plaza, Galp's chief operating officer in charge of Renewables and New Businesses. “This commitment is clear in the projects we lead in electric mobility, biofuels or decentralized energy production, and will accelerate in the near future in areas such as hydrogen or the batteries value chain, because the challenge we face is urgent and requires scale,” she added.
The scope of the work attributed to the Jayme da Costa consortium, a Portuguese energy solutions company, comprises all the electrical, mechanical, and civil works of the four photovoltaic plants, excluding the supply of the photovoltaic panels. The Visabeira group will execute all civil construction works. The construction work should start in April and the first electrons should start being produced in the first quarter of next year.
“The quality and solidity of our engineering, as well as the project presented, attest to the vast international experience of the operations team, used to managing demanding and complex contracts,” explains Fernando Lourenço, the CEO of Jayme da Costa, who has demonstrated its competence in more than 580 installed megawatts. “Another differentiating factor was the supply of our own products manufactured by Jayme da Costa, as well as operation and maintenance services that guarantee high availability in the farm’s operation.”
Galp has committed to invest up to 40% of its annual investment in projects related to energy transition to a low carbon model, and between 10% and 15% in renewable energies and new businesses. Galp currently has 900 megawatts of solar photovoltaic capacity in production and is the third largest Iberian producer of this type of energy.
About Galp
Galp is an energy company committed to the development of efficient and sustainable solutions in its operations and in the integrated offers to its customers. We create simple, flexible, and competitive solutions for the energy or mobility needs of huge industries and small and medium sized businesses as well as the individual consumer. Our offer comprises various types of energy - electricity from renewable sources to natural gas and liquid fuel. As a producer, we operate in the extraction of oil and natural gas from reservoirs located miles below the sea surface and we are the largest Iberian producer of solar-based electricity. We contribute to the economic development of the 11 countries in which we operate and to the social progress of the communities that host us. We are, therefore, leaders in our sector in the world's main sustainability indices. Galp has 6360 employees.
About Jayme da Costa
Founded in 1916, Jayme da Costa is a major player in the field of renewable energy production and energy distribution in Portugal. With vast experience in the development of electrical equipment and electromechanical systems, the company recently saw its shareholder structure change with the entry of Core Capital and Visabeira, which has allowed it to accelerate its growth trajectory. More information at www.jaymedacosta.pt.