- Ingka Group is hybridizing an existing 50 MW wind farm in Portugal with solar generation, raising total output to 233 GWh annually.
- The project boosts the grid capacity factor from 34% to 50% without expanding grid infrastructure by using the same connection point.
- The development supports Ingka’s broader €7.5 billion renewable investment plan targeting 15 TWh of annual clean power production by 2030.
Ingka Group, the largest retailer behind the IKEA brand, is transforming an existing wind farm in Portugal into a hybrid renewable energy hub by adding solar generation to the site, increasing total output to 233 GWh per year while using the same grid connection.
The project builds on an operational wind park consisting of 25 turbines with an installed capacity of 50 MW. The facility already produces approximately 150 GWh annually, enough electricity to power roughly 30 IKEA stores. The addition of a solar park will contribute a further 83 GWh each year, lifting total production significantly while optimizing the existing grid infrastructure.
Even with some export limitations, the hybrid configuration increases the grid capacity factor from 34% to around 50%. The design also aligns power generation more closely with Ingka Group’s daytime electricity consumption, when solar generation peaks.
The project illustrates a growing strategy in renewable energy development: hybridizing existing assets to maximize generation without expanding grid connections, a key constraint in many markets.
Wind And Solar Complement Each Other
The hybrid system combines wind turbines with solar panels located on the same site, allowing the two technologies to balance production patterns across the day and seasons.
Wind and solar generation often peak at different times. When wind output declines, solar generation can partially compensate, creating a more stable and predictable energy profile compared with relying on a single technology.
The solar installation will incorporate advanced panel designs, including vertical and bifacial technologies capable of capturing sunlight from both sides. These configurations improve energy yield while minimizing land-use conflicts with the existing wind infrastructure.
For grid operators and investors, hybrid sites offer a practical pathway to increase electricity production from already connected projects. By improving the utilization of existing grid capacity, developers can avoid the lengthy permitting and investment processes associated with new transmission infrastructure.
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Renewable Investment Strategy Expands Globally
The Portugal project sits within a much larger renewable investment program led by Ingka Investments, the investment arm of Ingka Group.
Over the past decade, the company has steadily built a global renewable energy portfolio comparable in scale to that of a medium-sized independent power producer. Approximately €4.3 billion has already been invested or committed to renewable energy projects, with plans to increase that figure to €7.5 billion by 2030.
The long-term ambition is to produce around 15 TWh of renewable electricity annually. That volume would be sufficient to power more than four million households or support the charging needs of approximately five to six million electric vehicles each year.
Today, Ingka Investments owns and operates 49 wind farms across 17 countries and 26 solar parks across nine markets. Combined, those assets generate more than 5 TWh of electricity annually, equivalent to the yearly consumption of more than 1.47 million European households.
Frederik de Jong, Head of Renewable Energy at Ingka Investments, said the hybrid park reflects the company’s strategy to increase output from existing assets while strengthening renewable reliability. “This new hybrid park in Portugal is a great step forward in our renewable energy journey. It illustrates our commitment to innovation, allowing us to significantly increase our energy output using existing infrastructure. This not only boosts our clean energy capacity but also sets a benchmark for how we can integrate different renewable sources to create a more stable and efficient power supply for the future.”
Portugal As A Renewable Energy Platform
For IKEA’s Portuguese operations, the project also reinforces the country’s role as a hub for renewable innovation and low-carbon investment.
Portugal has become one of Europe’s fastest adopters of renewable energy, combining strong wind resources with rapidly expanding solar capacity. Hybrid projects are increasingly seen as a way to accelerate the energy transition while easing grid congestion across the region.
Laia Andreu, Country Retail Manager and Chief Sustainability Officer of IKEA Portugal, said the project demonstrates how corporate energy investments can support national climate goals. “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, showcasing that sustainable growth is not just possible, but essential for a better everyday life.”
For corporate energy buyers and investors, the project illustrates a broader trend shaping global renewable development. Hybrid renewable systems are emerging as a practical solution to expand generation capacity while working within existing infrastructure constraints.
As grid bottlenecks and permitting delays challenge energy transitions worldwide, projects that maximize existing connections could play an increasingly important role in accelerating clean power deployment.
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