Maranchón, Guadalajara, Spain
Largest wind farm Complex in Spain benefits from strong regional policy
Castilla la Mancha links wind power expansion to regional economic growth
Maranchon wind farm Complex, in the central region of Castilla la Mancha, is one of many find farms helping to make
Spain the third most successful country for wind power in the world. This success has been supported by a policy of strong regional economic development.
The largest wind development inEurope when it opened in 2006, Maranchon brings together seven linked wind farms with a combined capacity of 208 Megawatts (MW).
The wind turbines are owned and operated by the world’s largest wind farm operator Iberdrola Renewables, which now owns a global installed capacity of more than 10,000 MW. The company calculates that this quantity can avoid the emission of 8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide each year.
Like other Spanish regions, Castilla la Mancha has encouraged renewable energy because it reduces emissions and creates employment. Iberdrola Renovables, for example, has created 500 jobs in the region.
Castilla la Mancha already has more wind power capacity installed than any other region of
Spain . The regional government’s aim is that by 2012 every household will receive its electricity from a renewable source, including wind.
Nationally, wind power already produces 11.5% of
Spain ’s electricity from about 16,700 MW of turbines. In order to meet European Union targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, this will need to increase to 40,000 MW by 2020.
Maranchon wind farm Complex, in the central region of Castilla la Mancha, is one of many find farms helping to make
The largest wind development in
Like other Spanish regions, Castilla la Mancha has encouraged renewable energy because it reduces emissions and creates employment. Iberdrola Renovables, for example, has created 500 jobs in the region.
Castilla la Mancha already has more wind power capacity installed than any other region of
Nationally, wind power already produces 11.5% of
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Who did it?
FACTS: MARANCHON WIND PARK
Size: The Maranchon wind park, located in the Gudalajara district of Castilla la Mancha (in an area of moorland at 1,300 metres above sea level) comprises seven linked wind farms with turbines manufactured by Gamesa Eolica.
Total capacity: 208 MW
Electricity production: 500 GWh
Climate: 430,000 tonnes of CO2 saved
Total capacity: 208 MW
Electricity production: 500 GWh
Climate: 430,000 tonnes of CO2 saved
Want to know more?
Global Wind Energy Council, Rue d'Arlon 63-65, 1040 Brussels, Belgium, Tel: +32 2 400 1029, Fax: +32 2 546 1944, Email: info@gwec.net