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Last July, Iberdrola established a partnership agreement with a local beekeeper (Coolbelha) to install beehives at its photovoltaic plants in operation.

A total of 30 hives have been installed, divided equally between the Conde and Algeruz II photovoltaic plants, located in the Setúbal district. 

A feasibility study was previously carried out with the beekeeper to identify the best location for the hives, in close coordination with the safety of the plant equipment and of the operation and maintenance workers. The installation of the hives was carried out at night, in order to maintain the safety of the bees.

Landscape Integration Projects are underway for the photovoltaic plants, which will include the cultivation of specific aromatic species (melliferous) to increase the quality of the honey and also to achieve a complete symbiosis between beekeeping activity and the generation of clean energy.  

In addition to producing honey, bees act as pollinators in a radius of at least one kilometre around their hives. They are tireless workers who promote the maintenance of the biodiversity of the local flora.

Also, in the first quarter of this year, sheep grazing was introduced in the areas of photovoltaic panels for local cheese and wool production. 

These types of projects (beekeeping and grazing) are part of the implementation of Iberdrola's Environmental Plan, a global commitment to mitigate impacts, promote local development, respect natural resources and biodiversity, and foster the circular economy. 

Iberdrola has carried out numerous environmental and social projects, and is now launching this new and challenging beekeeping project that will be replicated in all of the company's photovoltaic plants in Portugal.

The Conde photovoltaic park, located in the Setúbal district, was completed at the end of last year and has an installed capacity of 14 megawatts (MW), which will prevent the emission of 6,000 tonnes of CO₂/year into the atmosphere.

The Algeruz photovoltaic park, located in the district of Setúbal, was completed last year and consists of 50,580 photovoltaic modules with a total installed capacity of 27 MW, which will prevent the emission of around 14,000 tonnes of CO₂/year.

Iberdrola is committed to becoming one of the main promoters of solar energy in Portugal, one of the most efficient technologies in the fight against climate change, capable of adapting to natural cycles and weather conditions to produce renewable, inexhaustible and competitive energy. Iberdrola has an extensive portfolio to develop 2,000 MW of photovoltaic power in different parts of the country in the coming years.

The Iberdrola group began its commitment to renewable energies more than two decades ago as a fundamental pillar for building its clean, reliable and intelligent business model. Thanks to this vision, the company is leading the energy transition towards a low-emission economy and is today a world leader in renewable energies, with more than 41,200 MW of renewable energy installed worldwide.