PE 2 - World’s largest utility-scale solar power station based on Linear-Fresnel technology

Construction of the solar power station PE2 in southern Spain was started in the second quarter of 2010. The world's largest Linear-Fresnel Solar Power Station with 302,000 m2 reflecting surface and 30 MW output opens up a new chapter in the history of solar energy.

Energy supplier as partner

Five Swiss energy suppliers are owning the PE2 power station: Elektra Baselland (EBL) with 50,1 percent, Industrielle Werke Basel (IWB) with 12 percent, Elektrizitätswerke der Stadt Zürich (ewz) with 10 percent, Elektriziätswerke des Kantons Zürich (EKZ) with 6 percent and Energie Wasser Bern with 6 percent. Novatec Solar owns 15 percent. Innovative projects such as the PE2 in Calasparra are essential for EBL's aim of achieving 30 percent of energy sales with newly renewable energies by 2020.

Desert-compliant technology saves water

The solar field of the solar power station PE 2 consists of flat mirror boxes. The mirrors, which are fitted approximately one meter above ground, reflect the sunlight on a receiver located seven metres above the solar field. The sun light is bundled and evaporates the water in the receiver. With this high-pressure steam, a conventional turbine is produced that generates electricity. The water is then cooled again and carried back for steam pressure build-up in the solar field again. With this principle, the same water can be used again and again. The very low water consumption is a huge advantage in the dry steppes of southern Spain. The mirror boxes are produced in the town of Fortuna, not far from Calasparra. This creates new workplaces in the region. The solar power station will employ about 25 people in controlled operation. The installation is expected to go into operation in March 2012.