Our foundation: acciona.org Initiatives we support Our strategy Sustainable Development Goals Climate emergency Social development Sustainability indices Sustainable Development Alliances Technology and innovation centres Open and collaborative innovation Digital hub Innovation projects Job offers Graduates and internships Diversity, equity and inclusion Safety, health and well-being Training Selection process Energy Transport Water Social Cities Real Estate Financial Integrated annual reports Annual accounts Results, reports & presentations Average period of payment to suppliers Ratings Share price Dividends Analyst opinions Investor calendar General Shareholders' Meeting Board of Directors and Committees Management team Share capital Annual Corporate Governance Report Director remuneration Governance rules and compliance Framework Agreement CNMV Communications Sustainable finance
Cadiz, Spain See on Google Maps
Lower impact and improved efficiency by replacing 90 old wind turbines with 12 modern ones

El Cabrito, the oldest wind farm in Cádiz province, has been repowered 24 years after its start-up in 1995 with the aim of improving its technical efficiency and reducing the impact on its surroundings.

 

The main change is the replacement of ninety 330-kW wind turbines of obsolete technology with 12 Nordex-Acciona Windpower machines (8 x 3 MW and 4 x 1.5 MW), maintaining the same total capacity (30 MW) and increasing the output by 16% due to the more efficient wind turbine technology and the highest availability of the turbines.

The project has also meant the removal of 3.4 kilometres of access routes, as well as platforms and transformer huts (totaling near 24,000 m2 recovered), all of them unnecessary infrastructures in the new wind farm.

Together with improving the surrounding environment, with less visual and noise impact, the passage of migrating birds has been facilitated by increasing the distance between turbines from 45 to 65 metres in a range that varies between 170 m and 300 m, depending on the position. The lower turning speed of the blades also represents a lower risk of collisions.

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Location: Tarifa, Cádiz. Spain.
  • Capacity: 30 MW.
  • Wind turbines: 8 Nordex N100/3000 y 4 AW70/1500
  • Tower: steel, 85 and 60 m hub height.
  • Start-up: 1st quarter 2019.
  • Owner: ACCIONA.

KEY POINTS

  • The replacement of 90 obsolete wind turbines by 12 of modern technology, maintaining the same capacity.
  • Major improvement to the surrounding area: shorter rows of turbines, lower surface area occupied, greater distance between wind turbines, less noise, lower visual impact and easier passage for overflying birds.
  • Improved efficiency in the oldest wind farm in Cádiz province.
  • The project involves the complete dismantling of old wind turbines with lattice towers, the elimination of all foundations, platforms and roadways that are no longer necessary, the withdrawal and management of unusable materials and landscaping the affected area.
  • Around 112 GWh of clean energy output a year, equivalent to the power consumption of near 30,000 homes.
  • More than 107,000 tonnes of CO2 avoided annually in coal-fired power stations.

Within the framework of the Social Impact Management (GIS) of the El Cabrito wind farm, on December 28, 2022, an activity has been carried out with people in social exclusion from the center that the Cruz Blanca Foundation manages in Algeciras. The activity began with a visit to the wind farm, where Miguel Muñoz, head of the wind farm, gave a talk on the parts of a wind turbine. Afterwards, the group visited the Mirador de Cazalla ornithological observatory, where the attendees learned about the measures taken by ACCIONA Energía to protect the flora and fauna in their environment. Finally, the visitors were able to enjoy a guided tour of the Guadalmesí River trail.

A group of forty children and young people between 7 and 16 years of age have spent four days camping in the Los Alcornocales Natural Park, near the El Cabrito wind farm (Tarifa, Cadiz), which was held from July 26 to 29. This initiative is part of the Social Impact Management (GIS) of this park and has been carried out for the second year, given the success achieved last year. The camp was organized by the socio-educational company Cauce Natura.

Get to know more about it You cannot miss this video!

ACCIONA Energía has collaborated with the Red Cross in the acquisition of internet access cards for the 2020-2021 school year. A group of 70 boys and girls, participants in the Red Cross Childhood in Social Difficulty projects in the province of Cadiz, have been able to continue with their school-educational tasks in view of the situation caused by COVID-19. This initiative has also allowed these students -especially from the towns of Tarifa and Algeciras, located in the area of influence of the El Cabrito wind farm- to participate in the Red Cross School Support projects in the on-line modality.

More information

ACCIONA Energía put the first commercial wind farms into service in Spain almost 30 years ago. The experience obtained since then has made the company one of the most trusted in the sector.

Discover the first commercial wind farms into service in Spain
Discover all of our projects

"We're not just driving sustainable development and the fight against climate change, we're creating awareness to help you join the movement too. Click on the links to find out more about renewable energies, water treatment, green hydrogen or related topics."