Editing Extremadura (section)

=== Energy ===
About half the value of the regional industrial production belongs to the [[energy sector]].<ref name=colonization /> Extremadura presents a huge energy surplus, producing about four times the energy it consumes.<ref name=colonization>{{Cite web|url=https://www.elsaltodiario.com/energia/colonizacion-electrica-extremadura|website=[[El Salto (newspaper)|El Salto]]|title=La colonización eléctrica de Extremadura|date=14 April 2021|first=Juan|last=Viera}}</ref> This situation has led to the characterization of Extremadura as a potential "colony" of the private electricity companies, which are not taxed in the region and employ a relatively low share of the industrial workforce.<ref name=colonization /> The Tagus is dammed in the reservoirs of [[Alcántara Dam|Alcántara]], Torrejón and [[Valdecañas reservoir|Valdecañas]] whereas the Guadiana is dammed in the reservoirs of [[Cíjara Dam|Cíjara]], [[García Sola Reservoir|Puerto Peña]], Orellana and Zújar.{{Sfn|Mateos Dávila|Hernández González|1983|p=71}} Due to the orographic conditions, the Tagus is better suited for [[hydroelectric]] use than the Guadiana.{{Sfn|Mateos Dávila|Hernández González|1983|p=71}} As of 2021, the region has around 2,193.84 MW of installed hydroelectric power, primarily controlled by [[Endesa]] and [[Iberdrola]], with a lesser role of Grupo Pitarch.<ref name=colonization />

The two reactors of the [[Almaraz Nuclear Power Plant]] (which were put in operation in 1981 and 1983, respectively) are jointly operated by Endesa, Iberdrola and [[Naturgy]].<ref name=colonization /> They generate a power of 1,048.43 MW and 1,044.45 MW.<ref name=eldiario>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eldiario.es/extremadura/economia/comunidad-colonia-electrica-produce-energia-no-deja-trabajo-impuestos_1_7322096.html|website=[[eldiario.es]]|title=Extremadura, una "colonia" eléctrica: produce mucha energía que no deja ni trabajo, ni riqueza|date=18 March 2021|author=J.L.A.}}</ref>

The region is at the forefront of Spain's plans for [[energy transition]] and a [[Low-carbon economy|decarbonisation]], thanks to the installation of large solar power plants and the granting of [[lithium]] mining licenses.<ref name=pilaverde /> Such prospects sparked criticism and concern regarding how to avoid a "third energy colonisation" after those of the construction of reservoirs for [[hydroelectric]] use and the building of [[nuclear power plant]]s.<ref name=pilaverde>{{Cite web|url=https://elpais.com/clima-y-medio-ambiente/2021-05-29/extremadura-la-pila-verde-de-espana.html?ssm=TW_CC|website=[[El País]]|title=Extremadura, la pila verde de España|first1=Manuel |last1=Planelles|first2=Ignacio|last2=Fariza|date=30 May 2021}}</ref> Two of the largest [[photovoltaic power plant]]s in Europe are located in the region: Francisco Pizarro (590 MW) in [[Torrecillas de la Tiesa]] and Núñez de Balboa (500 MW) in [[Usagre]]; both are operated by Iberdrola, which is developing another 6 photovoltaic plants collectively amounting to 1,300 MW.<ref name=eldiario /> The first [[Concentrated solar power|solar thermal power plant]] in the region, [[Alvarado I]], (50 MW) opened in 2009.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lacronicadebadajoz.elperiodicoextremadura.com/la-cronica-de-badajoz/2009/07/28/primera-termosolar-region-funciona-alvarado-45155426.html|website=La Crónica de Badajoz|title=La primera termosolar de la región funciona en Alvarado con 50 megavatios de potencia|publisher=[[El Periódico Extremadura]]|date=28 July 2009}}</ref>

A project to build a lithium-ion battery factory participated by [[Envision Energy|Envision]] in [[Navalmoral de la Mata]] was announced in June 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cope.es/emisoras/extremadura/caceres-provincia/caceres/noticias/oficial-habra-gigafactoria-baterias-litio-navalmoral-mata-20220603_2121302|title=Ya es oficial: habrá gigafactoría de baterías de litio en Navalmoral de la Mata|date=3 June 2022}}</ref>