Location
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It’s hard to miss when driving down south from Seville to Gibraltar. The renewable energy projects created by Iberdrola – The Spanish energy giant – are everywhere. The Andalusia - Cadiz part of Spain must be a favorable location. And not only that, there’s more that dominates the landscape.
Windmill landscape in Andalusia - Cadiz
The Andalusia - Cadiz province of Spain sure must be windy area given the endless amount of windmills in the landscape. At some points the windmills dominate the horizon in every direction. It was a windy day when driving through, all windmills where in operation.
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| Windmill park by Iberdrola in Cadiz -Andalucia-Spain |
Construction was still going on, probably for more windmills so come.
Iberdrola combined-cycle power plant near Arcos de la Frontera.
More south near Arcos de la Frontera, Iberdrola Generacion S.A. built a huge electricity plant powered by natural gas near de Guadalcacin reservoir.
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| Arcos de la Frontera near the Guadalcacin Reservoir in Cadiz-Andalusia in Spain |
The large factory is a combined-cycle power plant. It uses water from the nearby Guadalcacin reservoir for steam and cooling.
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| Iberdrola GE Combined Cycle electricity plant near Arcos de La Frontera in Cadiz-Andalusia in Spain |
Gas turbine generators produce electricity and waste heat is used to make steam to generate additional electricity via a steam turbine. A combined cycle known to reach upto 58% efficiency. The plant near Arcos de la Frontera is Iberdrola’s biggest investment in power generation in it’s entire existence.
Guadalcacin reservoir in Cadiz - Andalusia
Roaming the Andalusian landscape with Google Earth reveals a large amount of reservoirs between Arcos de la Frontera and Algericas. Driving through in April 2010 showed many reservoirs topped up the maximum level.
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| The Gualdalcacin reservoir at its maximum level near Arcos de ka Frontera in Cadiz - Andalusia in Spain |
The winter of 2009/2010 was extremely wet. The graph for the Guadalcacin reservoir from the Spanish government shows the results of excessive rainfall.
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| Excessive rainfall in the 2009/2010 winter caused maximum water level in the Guadalcacin reservoir |
The water volume is almost double compared to the 10 year average.
Recreation at the Guadalcacin reservoir
The Guadalcacin reservoir has 1 location where recreational activities are allowed by the Spanish authorities. The rest of this huge reservoir is not accessible, either fenced off as private property or as fenced of part of the natural park.
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| Club Dipronautica campsite beach at the Guadalcacin reservoir in Cadiz-Andalusia in Spain |
The license holder for the Guadalcacin reservoir is Club Dipronautica and hosts a campsite and beach area at the Guadalcacin reservoir. Most likely, entry is not free.
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| The sign of Club Dipronautica campsite and beach at the Guadalcacin reservoir. |
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This is also the only location at the entire Guadalcacin reservoir to park a car near the lake and reach the waterline. At the time of visit the place was closed due to reconstruction.
