Renewable Energy magazine reports that Villena, in the Alicante province of Spain, is getting a new solar thermal energy plant.

The facility is being built by the Energy Division of Spain’s FCC (News - Alert) Group. The report indicates that the ground-breaking ceremony for this plant was performed last week by Alberto Fabra, president of the Valencia regional government and Baldomero Falcones, chairman at FCC Group.

As per this report, after visiting the site, Falcones announced the construction of the new plant would create 750 direct and indirect jobs over the next two years. The 50-MW solar thermal energy plant will produce 110,000 MWh of electricity per year and cost €240 million ($298.51) to build.

"This first solar thermal plant joins other initiatives implemented by the regional government to promote the use of renewable energies and new technologies, saving and diversification in the energy field," said Valencia regional government president Fabra, expressing his gratitude to FCC group for its investment in the region and commitment to alternative energies – as well as its role in creating jobs.

According to the Renewable Energy magazine report, the solar thermal power plant is located at the southwest edge of the Alhorines Valley, in Villena (Alicante). The area has one of the highest levels of insolation in the Valencia region, receiving 1,900 kWh/square metres per annum.

The solar plant, which will span 230 hectares, is located close to major highways.

FCC Group’s Energy division manages around 1,000 MW of installed capacity at its plants in Great Britain, Central and Eastern Europe and Spain, wrote Renewable Energy magazine. In the U.K., the Energy division manages two energy-from-waste plants in Allington and Eastcroft, and is also involved in wind farm development in that country.

While in Spain, the company also manages a 50-MW Palma del Río solar thermal energy plant (Córdoba), and boasts 420 MW in wind capacity and 20 MW in photovoltaic capacity.