Gemasolar Plant

The Gemasolar power plant in the Andalusian province of Seville is a pioneering renewable energy facility and the world's first commercial solar tower power plant to use molten salt as a heat transfer medium and storage system. On a circular area of almost 200 hectares, more than 2,600 huge, computer-controlled mirrors (heliostats) reflect the intensive Andalusian sunlight onto a 140-meter-high central tower. In this receiver, a salt mixture is heated to over 500 degrees Celsius. The revolutionary advantage of this technology lies in its storage capacity: the enormous heat in the molten salt makes it possible to generate steam and drive a turbine even after sunset or on cloudy days. As a result, Gemasolar can continue to operate for up to 15 hours without direct sunlight and supply base-load electricity to thousands of households almost around the clock, solving the biggest problem of conventional solar plants.

Nearby cities

Seville

Seville is the capital of Andalusia and sits on the banks of the Guadalquivir River.

Málaga

Málaga is a port city on the Costa del Sol in southern Spain.

Jerez de la Frontera

Jerez de la Frontera is located in Andalusia and is world-famous for its production of Sherry wine.

Almería

Almería is a port city in Andalusia, known for its arid landscape and the massive Moorish fortress of Alcazaba.

Marbella

Marbella is a well-known resort city on the Costa del Sol.

Badajoz

Badajoz is located in western Spain, right on the border with Portugal.

Huelva

Huelva is located in southwestern Andalusia, between the mouths of the Tinto and Odiel rivers.

Dos Hermanas

Dos Hermanas is a large city located near Seville.

Algeciras

Algeciras is located in the Bay of Gibraltar in the far south of Spain.

Cádiz

Cádiz is considered the oldest continuously inhabited city in Western Europe, perched on a narrow peninsula in the Atlantic.

Jaén

Jaén is located in northeastern Andalusia and is known as the 'World Capital of Olive Oil'.

Cáceres

City in Extremadura with one of the best-preserved medieval old towns in Europe, surrounded by Moorish walls.

Roquetas de Mar

A major tourism and agricultural center in the Almería province.

El Puerto de Santa María

A port city at the mouth of the Guadalete River, famous for sherry wineries and seafood.

El Ejido

Known for its intensive agriculture under plastic greenhouses and the modern coastline of Almerimar.

History & landmarks

Mérida

The former Roman capital of Lusitania, home to some of the world's best-preserved ancient ruins.

Aranjuez

The royal summer residence on the Tagus river, a UNESCO World Heritage site with magnificent gardens and palaces.

Plasencia

An elegant city on the Jerte River, known for its two cathedrals and its well-preserved medieval city walls.

Úbeda

A UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its exceptional Renaissance architecture and significant pottery tradition in the heart of Jaén.