As the ENRD has become part of the EU CAP Network, this website will no longer be updated. It remains available in a static form as a reference of all the previous activities, however all the interactive features such as the login, as well as the main search of the website and advanced filtering of the databases (e.g. LAG & Project databases) will not be available. You will find all the new and up to date information on the EU CAP Network website. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Reducing energy costs for irrigation

Expanding a water reservoir and installing a solar farm to reduce the energy costs of irrigation.

Full Project description EN

(339.79 KB)

Project summary:

In order to reduce high energy costs, the irrigation cooperative Nuestra Señora de la Carrodilla de Estadilla - based on the results of an energy audit undertaken in 2013 - carried out two investments using RDP support. These were the expansion of a reservoir in order to have more water available for irrigation during the periods when electricity tariffs are lower (night hours and weekends), and the installation of a photovoltaic solar farm to produce cheap energy for the reservoir’s water pump.

Project results:

Energy savings will be up to 40% of the current electricity bill.

There are environmental benefits due to the use of solar energy, which means a reduction of CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. It is foreseen that the solar energy will represent around 30% of the total energy used by the irrigation cooperative (around 193 Mwh/year).

Access to alternative energy sources will mean less vulnerability to fluctuations in energy prices.

It is expected that the economic performance of the cooperative will be improved due to their reduced electricity costs.

Post date:

01/10/2018 - 22:42