Wedoany.com Report-Sept. 14, The Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge’s Institute for a Just Transition has provisionally awarded the Lanchaz, 220 kV “Just Transition Hub” tender to the Ballesta Reversible Hydroelectric Plant, a project developed by Córdoba-based company Magtel.

The Ballesta pumped hydro initiative represents an investment of €500 million. It will have a capacity of 289 MW and an energy storage potential of 2,554 MWh. The facility will be colocated with solar installations that together provide 229 MW of generation capacity, creating a hybrid system that integrates storage and renewable energy production.

The project site is located in Espiel, a municipality in Córdoba, and will repurpose a disused mining cut, ensuring the reuse of existing land while contributing to regional energy transition efforts. With the provisional award of this tender, the Ballesta plant secures the necessary grid connection capacity to move forward.

The planned hydroelectric plant is designed to function as a reversible storage system. By pumping water to an upper reservoir during periods of low electricity demand and releasing it through turbines when demand rises, the facility will provide both flexibility and stability to the power system. When combined with the colocated solar arrays, it is expected to support energy reliability, enhance grid efficiency, and contribute to achieving Spain’s renewable energy objectives.

Magtel, the company leading the project, has a track record of developing energy and infrastructure solutions across Spain. The Ballesta project aligns with national strategies that emphasize renewable energy integration, grid resilience, and the reuse of former mining areas as part of just transition initiatives.

The award of the Lanchaz tender represents a significant milestone for both the project and the broader efforts of the Institute for a Just Transition, which aims to ensure sustainable energy development while promoting local economic opportunities. The Ballesta facility is anticipated to become a key contributor to Spain’s renewable and storage capacity once completed, reflecting a model that combines large-scale energy infrastructure with environmental and social considerations.