Imagine significantly increasing renewable energy output while optimizing an existing grid connection—without building entirely new infrastructure. That is exactly what Ingka Group, the largest IKEA retailer, is doing with its latest renewable energy project in Portugal.
The company has announced plans to transform an existing wind park in Portugal into a hybrid renewable energy hub by adding solar panels at the same location and using the same grid connection. This approach maximizes clean energy production while improving the efficiency of existing energy infrastructure.
The current wind park operates 25 wind turbines with a total installed capacity of 50 MW, generating enough electricity to power approximately 30 IKEA stores. By integrating solar energy generation at the same site, Ingka Group is entering the next phase in the development of this strategic renewable energy asset. The solar installation will generate 83 GWh of electricity annually, complementing the 150 GWh already produced by the wind farm. Together, the hybrid renewable park will deliver a total annual output of 233 GWh.
Even with some export limitations, the hybridization significantly improves grid performance. The project increases the grid’s capacity factor from 34% to 50%, enabling better alignment between renewable energy production and Ingka Group’s peak daytime electricity consumption.
Ingka Group believes in creating a better everyday life for the many people, and that includes protecting the planet. For many years, the company’s investment arm, Ingka Investments, has been expanding its renewable energy portfolio, growing capacity to gigawatt scale comparable to a medium-sized renewable energy company. Around €4.3 billion has already been invested or committed to renewable energy projects, with plans to invest up to €7.5 billion by 2030. The ambition is to reach approximately 15 TWh of annual renewable energy production—enough to power more than 4 million households or around 5–6 million electric vehicles each year.
The new hybrid renewable energy park in Portugal highlights Ingka Group’s commitment to accelerating the transition to a low-carbon economy while maximizing the potential of existing clean energy assets.
Through Ingka Investments, Ingka Group currently owns and operates 49 wind farms across 17 countries and 26 solar parks in nine countries. These renewable energy assets generate more than 5 TWh of electricity every year, equivalent to the annual consumption of over 1.47 million European households.
Frederik de Jong, Head of Renewable Energy at Ingka Investments, told The Voice of Renewables: “This new hybrid park in Portugal is a great step forward in our renewable energy journey. It demonstrates our commitment to innovation by allowing us to significantly increase energy output using existing infrastructure. This not only expands our clean energy capacity but also sets a benchmark for how different renewable technologies can be integrated to create a more stable and efficient power supply.”
Commenting on the new installation, Laia Andreu, Country Retail Manager and CSO of IKEA Portugal, said: “We are incredibly proud to host this pioneering project in Portugal. This hybrid park is a tangible example of how we are actively contributing to a low-carbon economy. It aligns with our local efforts to reduce emissions and embrace circular practices, demonstrating that sustainable growth is not only possible but essential for creating a better everyday life.”
