Portugal is welcoming Sonnedix, a global renewable energy producer, making significant strides in the Portuguese renewable energy market with the commencement of its flagship project, the Sonnedix Douro. This ambitious endeavor, located in the municipality of Tarouca in the Viseu district of northern Portugal, represents a pivotal moment for Sonnedix as it continues to expand its presence in the Iberian Peninsula.
Sonnedix made its entrance into the Portuguese market in late 2022, marking a strategic move for the company. The initial foray involved the acquisition of a substantial portfolio of ground-mounted projects scattered across Portugal, setting the stage for future growth and development.
The Sonnedix Douro project is a testament to Sonnedix’s commitment to sustainable energy. It is not only their largest solar photovoltaic (PV) project in Europe to date but also their first project to commence construction in Portugal. Spearheading this ambitious venture is the renowned EPC company, Zagope, a powerhouse in Portugal’s construction industry.
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The Sonnedix Douro project is expected to be completed by the end of 2024, showcasing the dedication and efficiency of the teams involved. The project’s infrastructure includes a vital 14-kilometer, 220-kilovolt transmission line, which will be constructed by CME, further enhancing the energy distribution capabilities of the region.
A Green Energy Powerhouse
Once fully operational, the Sonnedix Douro project is poised to generate approximately 234.5 gigawatt-hours of clean energy annually. This clean energy output is substantial, equivalent to powering 78,000 Portuguese homes while simultaneously preventing the emission of 35,000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide each year. This underscores Sonnedix’s unwavering commitment to reducing the carbon footprint and advancing sustainability.
Axel Thiemann, the CEO of Sonnedix, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, highlighting its pivotal role in the company’s growth strategy for Portugal and Europe as a whole. He emphasized that the Sonnedix Douro project is just the beginning, representing the first of many projects in Portugal. Thiemann underscored the significance of Portugal as a key market in their quest to become a true leader in the energy transition while continually expanding their portfolio of renewable energy projects throughout the Iberian Peninsula.
Sonnedix’s commitment to renewable energy extends beyond Portugal. In neighboring Spain, the company already boasts an 800-megawatt portfolio of operational PV assets and a robust pipeline of more than 300 megawatts. In July 2023, Sonnedix completed the construction of five solar projects in the province of Castille and Leon, with a combined capacity of 77 megawatts. Furthermore, Sonnedix’s global presence is strengthened by a development pipeline exceeding 6.3 gigawatts across various countries, including Chile, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Poland, Spain, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
The Sonnedix Douro project in Portugal stands as a beacon of progress in the renewable energy sector, highlighting Sonnedix’s unwavering commitment to sustainability and its dedication to transforming the energy landscape in Portugal and beyond.
