The consortium formed by Dragados (ACS), Cobra (Vinci) and Ossa has awarded the engineering and technology group Sener the development of the construction engineering of the Salto de Chira reversible pumping hydroelectric facility, designed and promoted by Red Eléctrica (REE ) in Tirajana. The Director of Water and Environment at Sener, José Manuel Clamagirand, has indicated that Sener has a "strong" commitment to the energy transition towards a "more sustainable" model, relying on technology and innovation.
He adds that the contribution to this project "is an example of experience in the field of renewable integration and the optimization of transport networks using various storage technologies", stating that they are "happy" to contribute to the development of this innovative design. of Red Eléctrica of the Salto de Chira facility, which incorporates the "latest technological advances and cutting-edge engineering studies to maximize its flexibility and performance."
The 200 MW hydroelectric storage facility, which is equivalent to 36 percent of the island's peak demand, will connect the existing Chira and Soria reservoirs, in San Bartolomé de Tirajana, as reported by Sener in a press release sent to Maspalomas24H. He adds that it will act as a large natural battery, providing a storage capacity of 3,5 GWh, "enough to supply the entire" Gran Canaria for almost seven hours.
In this way, the Salto de Chira reversible pumping hydroelectric installation will be a tool at the service of the system operator and will serve to store surplus energy from renewable sources, such as wind or solar. This will reinforce the guarantee of electricity supply to the island and promote the integration of renewables into the island's electrical system. To carry out the project, Sener is carrying out the construction design work of the different elements that make up the reversible pumping hydroelectric installation and that range from the access roads to the different areas of the project, the underground access tunnels, the intakes in the Chira and Soria reservoirs, hydraulic conduction, group caverns and transformers.
In addition to the buildings on the different platforms, the hydromechanical and electromechanical equipment and installations, the control system, as well as the integration of the turbo groups and their associated auxiliary systems. The infrastructure features an innovative design conceived by Red Eléctrica to maximize the island's energy independence and reduce fossil fuel imports.
