• 1,800 solar panels have been installed and it is the largest photovoltaic roof in Bizkaia
• Production supplies BEC with energy on a self-consumption basis.

 The extension of the solar photovoltaic plant at the Bilbao Exhibition Centre is completed and operational. After the lifting to the roof and installation work, the systems have now been adapted for connection to the internal network. The new solar plant will be entirely dedicated to self-consumption for self-supply of BEC’s own energy needs. This new structure is the largest rooftop photovoltaic installation in Bizkaia and is in addition to the one already installed in 2004, which will continue to feed energy into the general grid.

A total of 1,800 solar panels have been installed with the aim of generating electricity with a nominal output of 990 kW. Photovoltaic generators, devices that provide clean, renewable electricity, have been placed on 10-degree sloping structures on the roof of hall 6. Operational since the end of April, the plant has produced 217,523 kWh in almost two months of operation on a self-consumption basis without selling surpluses to the grid. This production represents about 18% of the energy consumed by BEC in the same period of time.

This extension has involved an investment of 650,000 euros, which has been carried out with BEC Solar’s own funds, a limited company in which the Basque Energy Entity (EVE) and the Bilbao Exhibition Centre have a shareholding.

Using the sun’s energy to produce electricity in a location such as the one offered by the BEC is a very interesting alternative energy supply due to the size of the site. In addition, energy is one of the main areas of work for certifying events as sustainable with the Erronka Garbia seal. These actions are part of BEC’s commitment to sustainability and the SDG 2030 agenda – Sustainable Development Goals.