Recurrent Energy's 200 MWp Villameca Solar Plant Starts Commercial Operation in Castilla y León

Recurrent Energy, the utility-scale solar and energy storage developer and subsidiary of Canadian Solar Inc., has begun commercial operations at its 200 MWp Villameca solar photovoltaic plant in the Region of Castilla y León, Spain.

The company announced the milestone from Kitchener, Ontario on Oct. 15, 2026. Once at full output, the plant is expected to produce roughly 359,172 MWh of clean electricity per year, sufficient to supply power to more than 100,000 homes. The company estimates the facility will avoid approximately 57,000 tons of CO₂ emissions annually, a reduction it compares to taking more than 12,000 internal combustion vehicles off the road.

A Path to Approximately 1 GW of Operational Capacity

Villameca joins two other large-scale assets in Recurrent Energy's Spanish pipeline. The 426 MWp Rey Solar Project in Andalucía was recently inaugurated, while the 315 MWp Tordesillas Project, also located in Castilla y León, is expected to be connected later this year.

Taken together, the three projects are set to bring the company's total operational solar capacity in Spain to roughly 1 GW by year-end, deepening its footprint in the country and supporting the broader energy transition.

Leadership View on the European Expansion

Dylan Marx, CEO of Recurrent Energy, said that reaching commercial operation at Villameca represents an important milestone for the company and reinforces its position in Europe. He noted that as the renewable energy portfolio continues to expand, the company remains focused on creating lasting value in the communities where it operates, and expressed pride in the project's impact along with the high level of social and biodiversity commitments achieved during its development.

Design Recognized for Sustainability Standards

The Villameca plant earned UNEF's Seal of Excellence during the permitting and construction phases, an acknowledgment that it was designed and developed in line with high sustainability standards.

Under the company's Community CaRE program, the project channels support into local development, funding community facilities, educational improvements, and social initiatives. Biodiversity measures are also part of the program, including habitat restoration, native vegetation planting, and wildlife protection efforts such as nesting structures, bat boxes, and insect hotels.

Battery Storage Hybridization on the Horizon

Plans call for the Villameca Project to be hybridized with battery energy storage systems, an approach the company says will further decarbonization efforts and improve grid stability. The initiative reflects a broader push by Recurrent Energy in this field. The company recently announced the grid connection of Montalto La Viola, one of Italy's first solar-plus-storage hybrid projects, adding to its experience in developing and delivering hybrid renewable energy projects across Europe.

The Developer Behind the Project

Recurrent Energy, a subsidiary of Canadian Solar Inc., operates as one of the world's largest and most geographically diversified platforms for utility-scale solar and energy storage development, ownership, and operations. It serves as Canadian Solar's global development and power services business, supported by an in-house team of energy experts.

Canadian Solar, founded in 2001 and headquartered in Kitchener, Ontario, ranks among the world's largest solar technology and renewable energy companies. Its activities span manufacturing of solar photovoltaic modules, provision of solar energy and battery energy storage solutions, and development, ownership, and operation of utility-scale projects. Over the past 25 years, Canadian Solar has delivered nearly 180 GW of premium-quality solar photovoltaic modules worldwide.

Its e-STORAGE business has shipped more than 23 GWh of battery energy storage solutions to global markets, and the company held a contracted backlog of USD 3.5 billion as of June 30, 2026.

Since entering project development in 2010, it has developed, built, and connected approximately 12.4 GWp of solar power projects and 6.4 GWh of battery energy storage projects globally. Its development pipeline includes approximately 22 GWp of solar and 84 GWh of battery energy storage capacity at various stages. The company has been listed on the NASDAQ since 2006 and is considered among the most bankable firms in the solar and renewable energy industry.