The first of three huge solar fields has been opened in Granada on the Costa Tropical .When the three are completed  it will make up the second largest solar themal power station in the World and the largest in Europe.

The plant will supply 15,000 homes and has a thermal storage capacity that allows it to continue operating at full capacity for seven hours after sunset.Andasol I has a surface area of the equivalent of 70 football pitches.There are over half a million square metres of solar panelling.

The project has been developed by the German company  Solar Millenium,ASC Industrial,Cobra and Sener with the help of a 5 million euro grant from the European Commission.The plant has required a total investment of 300 million euros.

The second plant is currently at the test stage while the third phase is under construction .