Renfe has signed a five-year financial Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with renewable energy company Sonnedix, covering 1.45 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity from solar sources. The agreement guarantees a fixed price for the renewable energy used in Renfe’s passenger transport services, helping to stabilise costs and support sustainability goals.
The solar energy will be supplied from Sonnedix’s photovoltaic plants located in Castilla-La Mancha, including Covatillas 1, 5, and 6, as well as Portachuelo. This contract is part of Renfe’s broader strategy to hedge against electricity market volatility while advancing its commitment to clean energy.
Sonnedix was selected following a competitive process, which reviewed 16 solar PPA bids. Their proposal was deemed the most favourable in terms of pricing and sustainability credentials.
Sonnedix operates globally with a presence in ten countries and a portfolio exceeding 500 renewable energy facilities. The company manages 11.68 gigawatts (GW) of capacity worldwide, including 1.88 GW in Spain. Of these, 1.03 GW are operational, 203 MW are under construction, and 656 MW are in development.
This agreement strengthens Renfe’s efforts to promote clean energy use and foster a more environmentally responsible railway model. Since 1990, Renfe has reduced its carbon footprint per unit transported by 90.4%, significantly exceeding Spain’s emission reduction targets for 2030 as outlined in the Paris Agreement.
Renfe’s train fleet is recognised as the most energy-efficient passenger and freight transport system in Spain, producing up to 20 to 30 times less carbon emissions per journey than cars or airplanes. Consequently, each train trip contributes meaningfully to lowering greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector.
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