Santas
Santas: One of Portugal's largest solar power plants
With an installed capacity of 181 MW, the Santas solar power plant is one of the largest in Portugal. Located in the municipalities of Monforte, Borba, and Estremoz, it provides clean, renewable electricity to more than 100,000 households.
Benefiting from an exceptional average of 2,030 hours of sunlight per year, among the highest in Europe, the plant achieves both high productivity and competitiveness.
The plant was commissioned in the summer of 2024 and was financed with the support of MEAG and Eiffel Investment Group.
A Crowdfunding Campaign to Expand the Plant
To mark the inauguration of the Santas solar power plant, Akuo, via its crowdfunding platform AkuoCoop by Lendosphere, has launched a crowdfunding campaign aimed at funding the plant’s expansion by an additional 45 MW. This campaign, open to all European Union citizens, offers an opportunity to participate in Portugal's energy transition while benefiting from the plant's profitability. Portuguese citizens and businesses are especially encouraged to invest in their local energy future.
A long-term player to serve territories
Akuo is ensuring a lasting presence by signing very long project term leases and thus providing the territories with the opportunity to genuinely empower each and every stakeholder. In addition to the solar project, the Akuo Foundation has already launched its support to the Monforte citizens through a mental disease program tailored to Montforte’s needs.
Portugal, the new reference for the development of renewable energies in the European Union
In early 2024, the Portuguese government revised its Energy & Climate Plan for 2030, increasing its green capacity target by 50% to 42.8 GW. This means that, by the end of the decade, renewable energies in Portugal will account for 85% of total production. According to the new plan, the share of photovoltaics is set to rise to 20.4 GW, from the current 2 GW.
Our CSR commitments
Environmental commitment and ecological monitoring
The Santas solar plant, equipped with 336,448 low-carbon photovoltaic modules on trackers, avoids the emission of over 70,000 metric tons of CO2 annually, equivalent to the emissions of 27,100 round-the-world trips in an internal combustion car. A comprehensive life cycle analysis conducted by Akuo has shown that the plant emits just 27gCO2e/kWh, significantly lower than the average solar power plant (44gCO2e/kWh according to ADEME), making it an exemplary project in terms of carbon footprint.
To ensure sustainable ecosystem management, several environmental measures have been implemented. These initiatives include the conservation and management of water resources, which are vital for the local environment, as well as detailed ornithological monitoring. Since the plant is located in a migratory corridor, continuous efforts are made to protect local wildlife throughout the year.
