19 FEB 2024

Iberdrola España and Exiom will inaugurate Spain's first large solar panel factory in spring

  • Asturias will host the first large-scale photovoltaic module manufacturing plant in Spain and one of the first plants on an industrial scale in Europe.

  • The initiative, which reinforces the commitment of both companies to the economic reactivation of the mining areas, will promote industrialisation associated with the energy transition.

  • The project is funded by the Just Transition Institute through the economic reactivation programme for just transition zones

Iberdrola España and the Asturian business group Exiom continue their steps towards the definitive opening of the photovoltaic module factory in Asturias. The first large solar panel factory in Spain is scheduled to start up next spring. 

Over the last few months, intensive work has been carried out inside the facilities, located in the Asturian municipality of Langreo, with the aim of refurbishing and adapting them for the production of solar panels.

Among the most significant recent developments, those standing out are the arrival, assembly and installation of specialised equipment for its manufacture. This is complex, heavy, high-volume machinery, prepared inside the factory in several batches of equipment.

The announcement of the project caused excitement in the renewables sector. With its rapid progress and the opening of the factory ever closer, the production of the first batches is in solid demand from several customers – strongly attracted by the national nature of the production.

The project responds to the effort undertaken by Iberdrola España and Exiom to attract part of the value chain linked to renewable energies to our country. Specifically, solar energy. The aim is to make Spain a spearhead for leading this emerging sector in Europe.

The Asturian region of Langreo will be the site for the construction of what will become the first large PV factory in Spain. Exiom is also a 100% Spanish-owned manufacturer, with origins in Asturias itself, and one of the only European groups to appear on the prestigious list of Tier 1 manufacturers.

The opening of this new factory in Europe responds to the interest of both companies in achieving competitive manufacturing at EU level, focused in a first phase on solar panels with the possibility of extending the collaboration to other components of the photovoltaic value chain.

Just Transition Institute's economic reactivation programme for just transition zones

This project has received a grant of €1.2M from the Just Transition Institute, through the programme aimed at employment-generating business projects that promote the alternative development of just transition areas, corresponding to the 2023 call for proposals.

The aim of Just Transition public policies is to optimise the activity and employment opportunities of the ecological transition to a green, low-carbon economy and to minimise the negative economic and social impacts that may arise.

 

Iberdrola España's 'Plan Lada' 

Iberdrola España shows its commitment to the development of the region of Langreo, in the search for economic development projects and initiatives linked to the opportunities offered by the energy transition towards a decarbonised economy.

Iberdrola España's 'Plan Lada' aims to transform the region based on four axes: investment in clean technologies, promotion of the development of local suppliers, training and support for local entrepreneurship.

 

About Exiom Group

Exiom Group is a business group dedicated to photovoltaic energy with more than 14 years of experience in the sector. It has a workforce of about 300 employees and operates both in Spain and internationally. 

Exiom has carried out 650 projects in the last year alone, both at home and abroad, covering photovoltaic developments, distribution and self-consumption, with a total capacity of 1 GW, thus contributing to the development of photovoltaic energy.

It currently has two solar panel manufacturing centers in China, thanks to which it has acquired sufficient experience and knowledge of the production processes. In addition, it also has a steel structure factory for photovoltaic parks, located in Langreo.

 

PERSEO Iberdrola España Ventures, 15 years innovating with start-ups and industrial businesses

Iberdrola España's commitment to a sustainable energy model is part of its PERSEO program to promote the development of start-ups and innovative industrial companies working in new areas of electrification and in sectors that are difficult to decarbonise.

The PERSEO program has been allocated €40M, through the Perseo Venture Builder, specifically to launch industrial initiatives that can be developed in the field of energy transition.

Since its creation in 2008, PERSEO has invested €175M in businesses that develop innovative technologies, focusing on those that will improve the sustainability of the energy sector through further electrification and decarbonisation of the economy.

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