Andorra Relaunches Tender for Serrat Hydro Plant After Failures

The Andorran government plans to launch a third public tender for a hydroelectric power plant in Serrat, Ordino parish, after two failed attempts in 2022.

State Secretary for Energy Transition, Mobility and Transport David Forné announced the move on Thursday after a meeting of the National Energy and Climate Change Commission. The project, included in the national energy infrastructure plan, will capture water from the Arcalís, Sorteny and Rialb rivers—providing greater flow than initially foreseen—and site turbines at a lower elevation in Serrat for higher output. It is expected to generate more than 7,000 MWh per year, meeting the needs of 2,200 households or about 30% of Ordino's total energy consumption.

Forné emphasised coordination with Ordino council, which supports the initiative, and a competitive price designed to attract bids. The tender will be open to private companies, parish cooperatives or council-formed entities, mirroring the process for solar panels on public buildings. Construction, if awarded smoothly, should take around two years.

Combined with the upcoming adjudication of solar installations on 37 public buildings to one of four bidders—exceeding initial expectations—this will raise national energy production from the current 22% to 25% of demand. Existing capacity includes 466 photovoltaic sites at 15.2 MW and five small hydro plants, for a total of 70.2 MW.

Forné noted the country remains on track for 33% national production by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050, with indicators showing progress in energy output and emissions reductions. He pointed to growth from near-zero solar and mini-hydro a decade ago.

On the Pic del Maià wind farm, Encamp and Canillo councils have agreed to transfer land, with signing expected in February. This could allow construction to start this summer—one season for civil works, another for machinery—leading to operation in two years and potentially lifting output to nearly 35%, exceeding targets.