CSP World

German utility RWE could be the next to sue Spanish government over Concentrated Solar Power plants subsidies cut after Abengoa's last week announcement.

The utility, which operates Andasol 3, a 50 MW parabolic trough plant in southern Spain, is considering the options to take Spanish government to International Courts of Arbitration.

According to Spanish news agency Europa Press, sources from the company have told the agency to be studying the facts, gathering information and waiting to the approval in the Parliament of the last measures announced by Spanish government.

RWE operates Andasol 3 through RWE Innogy, a wholly owned subsidiary focused to the renewable energy sector. The plant os co-owned with Stadtwerke München (SWM), RheinEnergie, Ferrostaal and Solar Millennium.

According to figures released by Spanish CSP association, Protermosolar, the CSP plants will se their revenues drop by an average 33%, totaling €15 billion.

Another foreign company, Mitsubishi, which holds stakes in a number of CSP plants after an agreement with Acciona back in 2009, could be gearing up a lawsuit, after the company reportedly hired the Spanish law firm Cuatrecasas.

According to Spanish papers, Mitsubishi and Cuatrecasas lawyers are assessing the options to take government to Spanish court or International Arbitration Courts.

More foreign companies are involved in the spanish CSP sector, Itochu, Mitsui, Masdar, Novatec, Nextera or JGC could be the next to sue Spanish government.