Eni's renewable energy subsidiary Plenitude has begun production at its Villarino photovoltaic plant in the municipality of Villarino de los Aires, in the Salamanca province of Castilla y León, Spain.

The 220 MW facility, inaugurated in the presence of Plenitude CEO Stefano Goberti, is expected to generate more than 400 GWh of electricity annually.

Scale and Technical Specifications

The Villarino plant is configured as a single solar park covering approximately 286 hectares and incorporates more than 365,000 bifacial modules. Construction commenced in October 2024 and was completed on schedule, a result the company attributed to careful coordination across specialized teams despite conditions that complicated the build process.

The site's natural characteristics presented notable engineering challenges. The rocky terrain and demanding geotechnical and environmental conditions on the ground required specific technical solutions to be developed during the engineering phase. Plenitude contracted Sterling and Wilson, described by the company as a global leader in photovoltaic plant construction, to carry out the build.

Environmental and Community Measures

In line with regulatory requirements, Plenitude implemented a range of measures at the site designed to address environmental and land use concerns. These included the conservation of rural huts situated between the solar modules, the protection of natural water channels within the plant perimeter, and coordination with local farmers and livestock breeders.

The company also introduced vegetation management through local grazing as part of its approach to maintaining compatibility with existing land use in the area.

The project generated employment and involved regional companies during its construction phase, contributing to local economic activity in Salamanca and the broader Castilla y León region.

Expanding Renewable Footprint in Castilla y León

With Villarino now operational, Plenitude's total renewable capacity in operation in Castilla y León reaches 338 MW. The company's existing assets in the region include the Grijotas I and II solar plants and the Numancia wind farm, in addition to its activities in the local retail energy market.

Goberti described the project as a meaningful step in Plenitude's broader Spanish ambitions. "The start of production at Villarino marks an important step in Plenitude's growth in the renewables sector in Spain, where we will continue to invest with a long-term vision, including the development of large-scale battery systems to support our solar and wind plants," he said.

Goberti also pointed to the company's presence in retail and e-mobility as components of a value chain strategy intended to strengthen the competitiveness and economic sustainability of its operations across the Iberian Peninsula and beyond.

Spain Portfolio and Development Pipeline

Villarino adds to what is already a substantial Spanish renewable energy presence for Plenitude. The company currently has around 1.8 GW of installed renewable capacity across Spain, complemented by a development pipeline of approximately 2 GW.

That pipeline encompasses new renewable generation plants, hybridisation projects pairing existing assets with energy storage systems, and repowering initiatives at existing facilities.

Beyond generation, Plenitude serves approximately 500,000 customers in Spain through its energy sales and energy solutions business and maintains operations in the e-mobility sector in the country.

The company has indicated that battery storage development will be a component of its ongoing Spanish strategy, with large-scale systems planned to support its solar and wind portfolio.

Castilla y León has been identified by Plenitude as a strategic hub within its Spanish renewable portfolio, with the company stating it intends to continue driving energy transition activities at both regional and national levels in collaboration with local institutions.

Global Context

Plenitude, which is controlled by Eni, operates across more than 15 countries. The company holds approximately 6 GW of renewable capacity globally and serves 11 million customers.

It also manages a network of 23,000 public electric vehicle charging points across Europe. The Villarino commissioning forms part of the company's ongoing effort to expand its integrated model, which combines renewable electricity generation with downstream energy sales and clean mobility infrastructure.

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