REE secures final permit for 200 MW pumped-storage hydroelectric power plant in Spain

The Government of the Canary Islands has issued the administrative authorization to Red Electrica de Espana (REE) for the Salto de Chira pumped-storage hydroelectric power station project, to be built on the island of Gran Canaria. This is the first major energy storage project in the Canary Islands.

The approval of the preliminary administrative and construction permits, as well as the declaration of Public Utility of the project by the General Directorate for Energy of the Government of the Canary Islands, will allow construction work to begin on the energy storage infrastructure.

The project involves the development of a pumped-storage hydroelectric power plant between two large inland reservoirs (Chira and Soria dams). It has a turbine capacity of 200 MW and an energy storage capacity of 3.2 GWh. Additionally, the project includes the construction of a seawater desalination plant and the associated marine works, as well as the necessary facilities for connection to the transmission grid.

REE will invest more than EUR400 million (US$452 million) on the project. Project execution and completion are expected to take about 70 months as of the date the works commence.