Axpo has strengthened its position as a major developer of large-scale solar projects with the completion of its 200 MWp Vilecha solar complex in Spain’s León province. After more than a year of construction, the project is now finalized and will begin supplying renewable electricity to the national grid by the end of the first quarter of 2026. The complex is located across the municipalities of Villadangos del Páramo and Cimanes de Tejar and brings together four individual photovoltaic plants, each with a capacity of 50 MWp.
The Vilecha complex spans over 360 hectares and includes the Valtarafon, Roteles, El Monte and La Fenera solar parks. Together, they feature more than 365,000 solar panels installed on tracking structures designed to follow the sun’s movement, maximizing energy capture throughout the day. Once operational, the facility is expected to generate over 377,000 MWh of clean electricity every year. This is enough to meet the annual power needs of around 100,000 people and will help avoid roughly 75,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually.
The project also created significant local benefits during construction. More than 600 professionals contributed to the development, with about 70 percent hired from local companies. Around half of the land used for the project is publicly owned, meaning rental income will go directly to local municipalities. This funding can be used to improve infrastructure, public services and community programs in the area.
The Vilecha complex required sophisticated engineering due to its scale and layout. Designing and coordinating four separate solar plants, each with different land conditions but sharing a single connection point to a 132 kV substation, demanded careful planning and technical expertise. Despite these challenges, the project stayed on schedule and was completed successfully. According to Antoine Millioud, Head of Axpo’s Solar Division, the Vilecha facility marks Axpo’s first large-scale solar project fully developed and built in Spain and demonstrates the company’s strong capabilities in delivering complex renewable energy projects.
Sustainability was integrated into every stage of the project. Axpo selected land with low agricultural and ecological value to minimize environmental impact. The company also implemented an environmental protection program that includes monitoring local plant and animal life, promoting pollination, restoring vegetation with native species, and managing waste responsibly in line with circular economy principles. These initiatives reflect Axpo’s commitment to supporting the energy transition in a way that protects both communities and natural ecosystems.
The completion of the Vilecha complex marks an important step in Axpo’s expansion in Spain’s solar sector. The company is also developing additional projects in other regions of the country, such as the La Muela solar plant in Zaragoza and the Almod plant in Córdoba. Across Europe, Axpo continues to grow its portfolio of large-scale photovoltaic projects as part of its broader mission to accelerate decarbonisation and strengthen renewable energy generation.
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