Wind farms in the Basque Country

Iberdrola España, the largest producer of wind energy in the Basque Country

Euskadi Energy Strategy 2030 establishes wind energy as one of the main drivers of the increase in renewable energy sources in the Basque Country by 2030. Currently, onshore wind farms generate, on average, around 350 GWh of electricity per year, equivalent to approximately 6-7% of the total renewable energy supply in the region. 

Such is Iberdrola España's commitment to green energy that we created, together with the Basque Energy Board (EVE), a joint venture to promote projects to invest in renewable energy in the Basque Country.

Iberdrola España has 4 wind farms in the Basque Country, operating with an installed capacity of 143.25 MW, which provide electricity to thousands of homes. In addition, we commissioned in 2022 the country's first two wind storage batteries at the Oiz and Elgea-Urkilla wind farms – a pioneering system that will optimise the production of renewable energy. 
 

Wind farms in Bizkaia/Vizcaya

According to the new Territorial Sector Plan (PTS) for renewables approved by the Basque Government, Bizkaia/Vizcaya has the most mountain ranges for installing onshore wind farms. These mountainous landscapes stand out as ideal places to locate wind turbines as the average wind speed exceeds a certain level at a height of 100 metres. Iberdrola España has an installed capacity of 83.98 MW in Bizkaia with two wind farms – Oíz (34 MW) and Badaia (49.98 MW). 

Oiz wind farm 

Oiz wind farm is Iberdrola España's first wind farm in Bizkaia/Vizcaya. With an installed capacity of 34 MW, it consists of 40 wind turbines of 850 kW unit capacity and 55 metres high.

The creation of this facility involved an initial investment of €25M, to which €8.5M were added for the extension of the farm. The Oiz wind farm stands out for its firm commitment to the environment, which is reflected in the implementation of bird protection measures and the signage of heritage places or elements. Thus, archaeological treasures such as the Iturzurinaga dolmen, the Probazelaiburua burial mounds and other elements have been protected. 

In addition, Oiz has the first wind storage battery in the country. This battery is located at the Abadiño electricity substation, where the Oiz wind farm evacuates, has a capacity of 3.5 MW and enables the production of the Biscayan wind farm to be accumulated.

Badaia wind farm

In November 2005, the Badaia wind farm was brought into operation. The facility is located in the Sierra Brava de Badaya, which separates the Kuartango valley from the Llanada Alavesa. The wind farm, with an installed capacity of 49.5 MW, is made up of 30 wind turbines with a diameter of 80 metres and a rated power of 1,670 kW.

Wind farms in Araba/Álava

When it comes to wind energy, Araba/Álava is installing the largest wind farms in the Basque Country thanks to its favourable orography. Iberdrola España has commissioned two facilities in the region – Elgea and Urkilla.

Elgea-Urkilla wind farm

Inaugurated in 2000, the Elgea-Urkilla wind farm was the first to be commissioned by Iberdrola España in the Basque Country and the largest of the four up and running wind farms in the Basque Country.

The installation has 78 wind turbines (40 in Elgea and 38 in Urkilla), on the border between Alava and Gipuzkoa, in the Uradakotena pass. Its construction required an investment of €24M. Elgea-Urkilla has an installed capacity of 59.27 MW and the electricity it generates supplies more than 50,000 Basque households.

Elgea-Urkilla also has the first battery storage system in a wind farm in the Basque Country and will have an installed capacity of 5 MW and 5 MWh of storage capacity.

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