German pharmaceutical company Bayer has begun testing a system that uses renewable electricity to produce steam at its plant in La Felguera, Langreo, in Spain’s Asturias region. The facility manufactures acetylsalicylic acid, the active ingredient in Aspirin. The project is designed to replace fossil fuels in steam generation.

Developed by Iberdrola España, the system combines a 15 MW renewable power purchase agreement, a 2.5 MW self-consumption solar installation and thermal energy storage using salt.

The storage system is intended to partially decouple electricity generation from the industrial process’s heat demand, helping maintain a continuous supply of steam. The project aims to meet 100% of the steam requirements for acetylsalicylic acid production with renewable electricity.

Testing began with the supply of renewable steam to the plant. The trial phase is expected to conclude by the end of the year, when the system is scheduled to reach continuous operation.

The project is structured around a long-term heat purchase agreement (HPA) and uses technology from Spanish engineering company Inerco to integrate the thermal storage system.

Iberdrola said the project represents an investment of more than €18 million. More than 60 professionals participated in the initial implementation phase.

The project has received public support from Spain’s Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving (IDAE) and Institute for Just Transition, as well as the regional government of Asturias and Langreo City Council. It has also received support from the European Union’s Innovation Fund.