39.6 MW Battery Authorized in Seville: Key Insights for the Energy Sector

Key data

Elvisa Solar, SLU now has prior administrative authorization and construction authorization for its battery storage module "Elvisa" of 39.6 MW in Alcalá de Guadaíra (Seville). The resolution, signed on June 25, 2026 by the General Directorate of Energy Policy and Mines and published in the BOE on July 16, 2026, enables the hybridization of this system with the existing photovoltaic park "Elvisa" of 47.4 MW.

What is relevant is not just the authorization itself: it is the procedure used. The project has been processed under the Royal Decree 997/2025 on urgent measures, which opens a fast track without simplified environmental assessment for storage hybridizations with existing solar plants. No consulted administration presented opposition and no comments were received during the public information period.

What does this regulation establish?

The resolution grants two simultaneous authorizations to Elvisa Solar, SLU:

• Prior administrative authorization of the battery storage module "Elvisa" of 39.6 MW.
• Administrative construction authorization of the same module and its evacuation infrastructure.

The approved evacuation infrastructure includes:

• Underground lines at 30 kV to connect the battery to the grid.
• A sectioning center connected to the Marchamorón 30/220 kV substation.
• Use of existing evacuation infrastructure up to the Don Rodrigo 400 kV substation of Red Eléctrica de España.

The differentiating element is the legal framework used. The RD 997/2025 on urgent measures allows, for storage hybridization projects with existing renewable plants:

• Exemption from simplified environmental impact assessment.
• Reduced administrative processing timelines.
• Use of evacuation permits already granted to the original solar plant.

Economic and operational impact

For Elvisa Solar, SLU, hybridization means transforming a conventional solar asset into an installation with active energy management capacity. A battery of 39.6 MW coupled to a plant of 47.4 MW represents a storage ratio equivalent to 83.5% of installed solar capacity, which provides very high operational flexibility.

From a market perspective, this allows the company to:

• Shift energy sales to hours of higher prices in the wholesale market.
• Participate in electrical system adjustment services (frequency regulation, balance).
• Reduce the risk of curtailment (spillage of energy not absorbed by the grid).

The fact that evacuation is carried out through already existing infrastructure up to the Don Rodrigo 400 kV substation eliminates one of the usual bottlenecks in this type of project: the need to obtain new access and connection permits to the transmission network.

Who does it affect?

• Elvisa Solar, SLU: company directly authorized, which must execute the project in accordance with the resolution conditions.
• Local administrations of Alcalá de Guadaíra (Seville): affected by the territorial implementation of the project.
• Developers of existing photovoltaic solar plants studying adding storage: this case is a reference on how to process a hybridization under RD 997/2025.
• Advisors and consultants in the energy sector advising clients with renewable assets on the available urgent processing route.
• Investors in energy storage assets in Spain interested in the current regulatory framework.

Practical example

A developer with an operational photovoltaic plant of similar capacity to Elvisa Solar (around 47 MW) wanting to add a battery module can follow exactly the same path as this case:

1. Adopt RD 997/2025 to process the hybridization as an urgent project, avoiding simplified environmental assessment.
2. Design the evacuation of the battery system through underground lines at 30 kV connected to the existing sectioning center, reusing the connection point to the transmission network.
3. Submit the project to public information and consultation with administrations. In the case of Elvisa Solar, no administration opposed and no comments were received, which accelerated the resolution.
4. Obtain the two simultaneous authorizations (prior and construction) in a single resolution, as has occurred in this case.

This model demonstrates that storage hybridization with existing solar plants is today a viable, fast administrative route without the environmental obstacles affecting new projects.

What should companies do now?

1. Review if you have an existing solar plant suitable for hybridization: any operational photovoltaic park with available evacuation capacity can be a candidate for adding storage under RD 997/2025.
2. Verify available evacuation capacity: the key point is whether existing infrastructure (lines, substation, connection point) can absorb the additional battery capacity without new network access permits.
3. Start processing under RD 997/2025: this framework allows reduced timelines and exemption from simplified environmental assessment, significantly shortening the time to authorization.
4. Prepare technical documentation for the storage module: installed capacity, battery technology, design of 30 kV evacuation infrastructure and connection to the sectioning center.
5. Proactively manage the public information period: the Elvisa Solar case received no comments, suggesting that good prior coordination with local administrations facilitates processing without incidents.

Official source

Consult complete regulation at official source

Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-15558