Capital Energy will build a 592 MW pumped hydroelectric plant (CHB) in the province of Ciudad Real. The project, known as “Puertollano Hydroelectric Project”, will be carried out in the municipalities of Puertollano, Mestanza and Hinojosas de Calatrava.
The “Puertollano” Hydroelectric Project is based on the technology of reversible hydroelectric plants, which use two water tanks located at different heights to generate and store energy. During high demand hours, water moves from the upper tank to the lower one, producing energy through turbines. During off-peak hours, water is pumped back to the upper reservoir, taking advantage of lower electricity rates. This cycle allows store energy efficiently and provides a renewable storage solution.
As El Periódico de la Energía has learned from sources close to the company, this project is not part of the alliance between Capital Energy and Verbund for the development of pumped hydroelectric plants in Spain. With the agreement signed in April, both companies set the goal of promoting 2 pumped hydroelectric projects that have a combined capacity of around 830 MW.
For now, The project is in a very preliminary phaseat the expense of submitting an environmental impact study of the infrastructure, although it has already been presented to the Ministry of Ecological Transition.
Characteristics
One of the most notable features of this plant is its Closed Circuit (CL) design. Instead of being connected to external water sources, the two tanks will operate independently. The Ojailén River will be used only for initial filling and to compensate for water losses due to evaporation and leaks, which guarantees efficient and sustained operation throughout the useful life of the plant.
The project also includes an inert landfill with a surface area of 135,377.25 m2 and a volume of 1,770,000 m3, located north of the upper deposit. This landfill will allow environmentally responsible management of the residual materials generated during construction.
The lower tank will take advantage of the existing infrastructure of the old Emma mine, while the upper reservoir will be built again. The plant will have four reversible binary-type groups, composed of a Francis-type pump turbine and a vertical axis motor-generator. These groups will offer various modes of operation, including turbine mode, Pump mode, hydraulic short circuit and STATCOM, providing great operational flexibility.
In addition to its technological contribution, the “Puertollano” pumped hydroelectric plant is distinguished by its comprehensive environmental approach. For the initial filling and annual water replacements, various sources will be used, including water from closed mines, rivers and irrigation systems at appropriate periods, regenerated water from treatment plants, desalinated water and groundwater. This approach minimizes the environmental impact and adds benefits such as the restoration of habitats, the regulation of floods and the recovery of degraded ecosystems.
