IDAE Invests €156 Million in 45 Stand-Alone and Thermal Storage Projects

Souce from IDEA

On December 11, 2024, the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO) in Spain, through the Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving (IDAE), allocated 156.4 million euros to support 35 innovative stand-alone energy storage projects and 10 thermal storage initiatives.

This funding is part of the INTALMAC program, which aims to strengthen the integration of renewable energy, improve grid stability, and ensure energy security during the transition to a renewable and decarbonized energy system.

The stand-alone projects, which focus on electrochemical battery technologies, will collectively add 2,820 MWh of storage capacity and 690.2 MW of power to the national grid.

Asturias, with 15 projects, is the region with the highest number of selected initiatives and the largest share of aid, totaling 60.8 million euros. It is followed by the Canary Islands, with five projects and 14.9 million euros, the Basque Country (4 projects and 9.6 million euros), and Catalonia and Cantabria, each with three proposals receiving 39.9 million euros and 11 million euros, respectively. The remainder will be implemented in the Valencian Community (2 projects), the Balearic Islands, Andalusia, and Galicia, with one project each. Notably, half of the projects are located in Just Transition areas (10 projects) and Demographic Challenge areas (7 projects).

The 10 thermal storage projects will receive a total of 6.48 million euros, expanding storage capacity by 88.35 MW and adding 591.27 MWh. These projects include technologies such as molten salts and solid materials, which are expected to contribute 23.5 MWh of capacity and 2.9 MW of power.

This initiative is part of the PERTE ERHA (Renewable Energies, Renewable Hydrogen, and Storage) plan, which aims to mobilize over 16.3 billion euros for developing clean energy technologies and creating new business models. The funding, provided through NextGenEU, supports Spain's transition to a renewable and flexible energy system while contributing to job creation, regional development, and environmental sustainability.