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The multi-million-euros project will enable PortAventura to get one-third of its annual energy from clean electricity, and should be ready to power the park by the end of the year
Alice Davis | Planet Attractions | 30 Aug 2022
PortAventura World plans solar energy installation as it looks to meet its sustainable tourism commitments
As Europe’s energy crisis deepens, PortAventura World has moved forward with plans from 2019 to build a solar panel installation to make the Spanish theme park more environmentally friendly.
The popular theme park, near Barcelona, has been granted a construction license to go forward with the €5 million (US$4.99m, £4.27m) project, which will cover an area of 6.4 hectares (64,000sqm), the equivalent of nine football fields. The photovoltaic plant, dubbed PortAventura Solar, will be one of the largest in Europe, and will contribute to the park’s green commitments and reducing its carbon footprint.
“This photovoltaic plant is, without a doubt, the major project for 2022, not only in terms of investment, but also from the standpoint of our global corporate responsibility strategy guiding the company's decision-making, as we seek to continue to be a benchmark in sustainable tourism,” said Fernando Aldecoa, general manager of PortAventura World.
More than 11,000 photovoltaic panels will be installed with a 6 MWp capacity, and the theme park resort says the 10 GWh solar energy generated annually will provide one third of the attraction’s total energy needs. Construction is slated to complete by the end of the year.
PortAventura, famed for Ferrari Land, already owns the land, and in a press statement promises “respectful integration with the landscape and the creation of an environmental education area”.
Choni Fernández, director of sustainability, added: “PortAventura Solar will help us take an additional step on the road to making our resort even more sustainable and self-powered, as part of our actions to promote the use of clean and renewable energy sources, and encourage decarbonisation and responsible consumption.”
The project is being designed and built by Spanish energy company Endesa X.
Disney and Six Flags are also companies using solar panels in their parks.
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