The project will be delivered through a 15-year agreement with international energy group EDP, and follows a similar solar partnership between Exide and EDP in Portugal announced earlier in the year.

Stefan Stübing at Exide said: “We are excited to join with EDP on another venture in renewable energy. Energy-intensive industries will have to rely increasingly on sustainable sources like solar, and our new photovoltaic plant with EDP shows the scale of what is possible. Not only will it reduce our carbon emissions, highlighting our commitment to sustainability, it will also improve our operating efficiency and performance.”

The project will involve the installation of a photovoltaic plant for self-consumption using around 4,000 solar panels. EDP España will develop and deliver the plant as a turnkey operation, supplying and assembling its parts and equipment and handling all maintenance and necessary documentation.

An energy management system will allow Exide to monitor the energy being generated and how it is used in real time. EDP will run the plant for 15 years, after which Exide will take ownership.

The plant, with equipment generating 1.3 MWp of power, will enable Exide to draw a significant amount of its annual power needs from solar. This will allow the company to reduce its CO2 emissions and improve its environmental footprint.

The new contract was signed at Exide’s Spanish headquarters in Azuqueca de Henares, Guadalajara, by Stefan Stübing, president EMEA at Exide, and Javier Sáenz de Jubera, commercial general director of EDP España.

According to Mr Sáenz de Jubera at EDP España, the contract “signifies the possibilities of self-consumption as one of the biggest challenges the energy sector is facing.

“Solar power is already a solution for companies and will continue to be so in the future, as it offers many advantages: it increases competitiveness, reduces the power bill and optimises energy efficiency, while reinforcing the client’s commitment to sustainability.”