Europe’s transition to clean energy needs more than renewable electricity generation. It also requires European-made technologies that can store energy, stabilise power grids and support a more resilient energy system. With support from the Innovation Fund programme, the neFO project is building a new cutting-edge manufacturing facility in Spain to help meet that challenge.
Located in Lugo, Galicia, the Norvento Enerxía Factory Zero (neFO) project will manufacture wind turbines, battery energy storage systems and power converters designed to support Europe’s growing renewable energy sector. By producing such equipment in Europe, the project aims to strengthen Europe’s technological sovereignty and reduce dependence on imported clean energy technologies.
Creating the tools for a renewable energy future
As renewable electricity expands across Europe, energy systems need technologies that can manage fluctuating generation, store electricity and help maintain grid stability. At the same time, Europe needs stronger domestic manufacturing capacity for these critical components.
neFO was conceived to address both needs. The new factory will manufacture several products developed by Norvento, including the nED100 and nED750 wind turbines, nGM battery energy storage systems and nXL power converters. Together, these components can support renewable energy generation, energy storage, green hydrogen production, electric vehicle charging and power system stability.
Particularly innovative is the nED750 wind turbine, designed for the repowering of older wind farms. Many early-generation wind farms operate in environmentally sensitive locations where replacing turbines with larger models is difficult. The nED750 can reuse existing infrastructure, extending the lifetime of wind farms while minimising environmental impact.
A distinctive feature of neFO is its integrated approach. Design, testing and manufacturing will take place at the same site, helping innovative technologies move more quickly from development to deployment.
Behind the project stands Norvento Enerxía, a company founded in 1981 by Pablo Fernández Castro as an electrical engineering firm. More than four decades of experience in renewable energy development and operation have helped shape the technologies that will be manufactured at neFO.
Building a zero-emission factory
Sustainability is not limited to the products manufactured at neFO. The factory itself has been designed as a zero-emission industrial facility. Powered by renewable energy, supported by on-site generation and advanced storage systems, the site aims to meet the highest sustainability standards. The facility is expected to achieve the BREEAM “Outstanding” certification level.
The neFO project emerged from the need to expand production capacity while preparing for future technologies currently under development. The factory has therefore been designed not only for today’s products but also for the next generation of renewable energy solutions.
Reaching key milestones ahead of schedule
One of the most significant achievements so far was reaching the financial close in September 2025. Before this milestone could be achieved, the project team had to finalise the factory design and secure the necessary planning permissions. Completing these steps ahead of schedule also allowed construction to begin earlier than originally planned.
Today, construction is well advanced and progressing rapidly, with efforts focussing on installing production equipment and preparing the site for operations. The project expects to enter operation by the end of June 2027.
Supporting jobs, industry and climate goals
The benefits of neFO extend beyond the factory gates. Between 2024 and 2027, the project is expected to create more than 500 direct and indirect jobs. Many of these positions will require specialised skills, contributing to long-term employment opportunities in the Lugo region.
Local and regional suppliers are also expected to benefit significantly, with purchases projected to increase by up to tenfold.
From a climate perspective, the impact is substantial. The technologies manufactured at neFO are expected to help avoid around 1.9 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent emissions over the first decade of operation, comparable to removing more than 395,000 petrol-powered passenger cars from the road for one year¹.
The support from the Innovation Fund programme and CINEA has played a key role in making the project possible. The EU funding has helped accelerate construction and expand the scope of a factory designed to supply critical technologies for Europe’s energy transition.
“At Norvento TECHnPower, we are making a strong commitment to contributing to the autonomy and coverage of current and future energy needs through the development and production of the technology required by today's energy system.”
Pablo Fernández Castro, President, Norvento Enerxía
Learn more about the Innovation Fund.
[1] CO2 emissions performance of new passenger cars in Europe | Indicators | European Environment Agency (EEA)
Article published on 25 August 2026