Ingka Group has announced a new project that transforms an existing wind park in Portugal into a powerful hybrid hub by adding solar panels to the same location, utilising the same grid connection.
The existing wind park currently consists of 25 wind turbines with an installed capacity of 50 MW, which is equivalent to the energy needed to power 30 IKEA stores. The hybridization of the park represents the next phase in the development of this strategic asset, maximizing its potential for clean energy generation by adding solar panels at the same location, utilizing the same grid connection point.
The solar park will generate 83 GWh per year, which will be added to the 150 GWh already produced by the wind farm, resulting in a total of 233 GWh. Even with some export limitations, this boosts the grid’s capacity factor from 34% to 50% and better aligns power generation with Ingka Group’s peak daytime consumption.
Ingka Group, the largest IKEA retailer, believes in a better everyday life for the many people. That includes a better planet. For many years, the company’s investment arm Ingka Investments has been investing significantly in renewable energy, growing capacity to gigawatt scale, comparable to a medium-sized renewable energy company.
Around €4.3 billion has already been invested or committed to renewable energy, with up to €7.5 billion planned by 2030. The ambition is to reach approximately 15 TWh of annual renewable energy production, enough to power more than 4 million households or around 5–6 million electric vehicles each year. This new hybrid park in Portugal is a shining example of this commitment, demonstrating how the company can accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Laia Andreu, Country Retail Manager & CSO of IKEA Portugal, said: “We are incredibly proud to host this pioneering project in Portugal. This hybrid park is a tangible example of how we are actively contributing to a low-carbon economy. It aligns with our local efforts to reduce emissions and embrace circular practices, showcasing that sustainable growth is not just possible, but essential for a better everyday life.”
Frederik de Jong, Head of Renewable Energy at Ingka Investments, added: “This new hybrid park in Portugal is a great step forward in our renewable energy journey. It illustrates our commitment to innovation, allowing us to significantly increase our energy output using existing infrastructure. This not only boosts our clean energy capacity but also sets a benchmark for how we can integrate different renewable sources to create a more stable and efficient power supply for the future.”
