Axpo inaugurated 200 MWp solar complex in Spain

07.05.26 - The Vilecha solar complex in north-western Spain was officially opened by Axpo on 7 May 2026. The large-scale facility comprises four major photovoltaic plants with a combined capacity of 200 megawatts peak (MWp). The largest solar complex in the Axpo Group, Vilecha covers 310 hectares and began feeding renewable electricity into the Spanish grid in February 2026.

In brief:

• Axpo officially opened 200 MWp Vilecha solar complex in León province, Spain. The facility started feeding electricity into the national grid in February 2026. 

• Vilecha consists of four different solar installations that were developed and constructed simultaneously and share a common grid connection. The solar complex is expected to produce more than 377 gigawatt hours (GWh) of renewable electricity annually, equivalent to the average annual consumption of 100,000 people. 

• The largest solar facility in Axpo’s portfolio, Vilecha supplies McDonald's Spain with 83 GWh of electricity a year through a ten-year power purchase agreement (PPA). Another ten-year PPA with Rockwool becomes effective in 2027, supplying the company with a total of 450 GWh of electricity.

The inauguration of the Vilecha solar complex, comprising four photovoltaic (PV) installations of 50 MWp each, took place on 7 May 2026 in the municipalities of Villadangos del Páramo and Cimanes de Tejar in Spain’s León province. 

In a demonstration of the broad support and collaboration that enabled the project, senior Axpo executives were joined at the ceremony by representatives of local authorities, partner companies, the Axpo solar division teams, and the Swiss Embassy to Spain and Andorra.

Axpo Deputy CEO Andy Heiz said: "The Vilecha project reflects our ambition to expand renewable energy across Europe. Large-scale renewable energy can make an important contribution to secure and low-emission energy supply. With a capacity of 200 MWp, this is the largest PV installation in the Axpo portfolio and reaffirms our ability to deliver energy solutions across diverse European markets."

Solar Division Managing Director Antoine Millioud added: “Our sincere thanks to all the teams and partners who helped make this project happen. Vilecha is testament to Axpo’s commitment to expand solar energy and advance the energy transition. It also demonstrates that high technical standards and environmental requirements can combine to make a positive impact on the region. In Spain and throughout Europe, we continue to work on providing sustainable energy solutions."

Clean, sustainable energy with local benefits

Vilecha’s four plants feature 365,000 modules mounted on tracking structures. The modules generate more than 377 GWh of renewable energy annually, equivalent to the average annual consumption of 100,000 people, and result in CO₂ savings of approximately 75,000 tonnes a year. Axpo customer McDonald's Spain is supplied with 83 GWh annually from Vilecha through a power purchase agreement (PPA). Rockwool has also signed a PPA that takes effect in 2027 and supplies the company with 450 GWh of electricity over ten years. 

The construction phase mobilized hundreds of professionals - most of whom belonged to local companies. Furthermore, approximately half of the land on which the solar complex was built is publicly owned, ensuring that rental payments flow back directly to the municipalities.

From the very beginning, Axpo integrated sustainability criteria into all phases of the project, from selection of sites with low agricultural and ecological value to environmental monitoring of local flora and fauna, pollination support, rewilding with native plants, and circular economy principles. These measures underline Axpo's commitment to an energy future which protects people and ecosystems.