Portuguese utility EDP has successfully commissioned the Pracana Complex, marking the country’s first onshore hybrid energy project that integrates solar power with an existing hydroelectric facility. By pairing a new 48 MW solar farm with a 41 MW dam operational since 1951, the facility achieves a combined capacity of 89 MW. This innovative setup is expected to generate 140 GWh of clean electricity annually, providing enough power for approximately 51,800 homes while maximizing the efficiency of existing grid infrastructure and reducing overall operational costs.
Located within the municipalities of Mação and Proença-a-Nova, the Pracana Complex represents a significant step in Portugal’s renewable energy strategy. The project features approximately 90,000 solar panels installed alongside the Pracana dam on the Ocreza River. By utilizing the dam’s established infrastructure and distribution network, EDP has managed to streamline operations and significantly reduce the expenses typically associated with developing new energy sites.
The integration of these two power sources allows for a more consistent and reliable energy output. While the original hydropower facility contributes 53 GWh per year, the newly added solar capacity provides an additional 87 GWh. This synergy not only optimizes land use but also ensures a more resilient power supply to the national grid. Construction on the solar component began in early 2025, leading to its rapid integration with the decades-old dam.
Pedro Vasconcelos, an Executive Board Member at EDP and head of the group’s Iberian operations, emphasized that the Pracana project is a global first for the company. He noted that combining hydropower with onshore solar reinforces system stability and accelerates the transition to greener energy sources with minimal territorial impact. The project highlights how modern innovation can breathe new life into legacy infrastructure.
This development marks EDP’s sixth hybrid project in Portugal and its eleventh across the Iberian Peninsula. As the energy sector continues to evolve, the success of the Pracana Complex serves as a blueprint for future hybridization efforts, demonstrating how different renewable technologies can work in tandem to meet growing electricity demands while lowering CO2 emission levels.