Stronger Together: Grúas Pirineos Launches with Liebherr LTM 1650-8.1 to Support Spain’s Infrastructure and Renewable Energy Growth

Meagan Wood
Nov 6, 2024
4 min read

Updated: Jan 12

30-Second Takeaway

Grúas Pirineos, formed in 2024 through the merger of Grúas Losfablos and Grutrans Cabos, has launched operations with a Liebherr LTM 1650-8.1 mobile crane as its first fleet addition. The 700-tonne all-terrain crane positions the new company to support wind energy, infrastructure, and large-scale construction projects across Spain, aligning with the country’s rapid expansion in renewable energy and major infrastructure development.

Liebherr Mobile Crane and Grúas Pirineos

Stronger Together: Grúas Pirineos Begins Operations with Liebherr

In an important milestone for the Spanish lifting sector, Grúas Losfablos and Grutrans Cabos merged one year ago to form Grúas Pirineos, officially launching the new company in 2024.

Both companies individually and collectively have long relied on Liebherr as a trusted business partner. The purchase of a Liebherr LTM 1650-8.1 mobile crane marks the first machine in the Grúas Pirineos fleet and reflects the company’s ambition to serve larger, more demanding projects.

Investing in Capability, Reach, and Performance

“Our goal is to offer customers comprehensive services and meet the growing demand for machines capable of handling challenging tasks,” explains Emilio Losfablos, Managing Director of Grúas Pirineos.

With a maximum lifting capacity of 700 tonnes, the LTM 1650-8.1 provides the reach and lifting power required for complex projects across multiple sectors.

Losfablos adds:

“We chose the best solution on the market when it comes to load-bearing capacity, reach, ease of assembly, innovation, performance, and safety.”

He continues:

“Liebherr sets the benchmark in the industry, demonstrating this year after year through innovative products, services, and after-sales management.”

Liebherr LTM 1650-8.1: Next-Generation Heavy-Duty Performance

The Liebherr LTM 1650-8.1 is the successor to the legendary LTM 1500-8.1, the best-selling large mobile crane of all time. Retaining the same genetic concept ultimate performance on eight axles the new model delivers significantly enhanced lifting capability.

Key performance highlights include:

Nominal lifting capacity of 700 tonnes
15–50% higher lifting capacity than its predecessor, depending on configuration
Available with 54-metre and 80-metre telescopic booms
Y-telescopic boom guying system for increased load-bearing capacity and lateral stability
91-metre luffing jib
62-metre lattice-type fixed jib

This configuration makes the LTM 1650-8.1 one of the most versatile and powerful mobile cranes available for heavy-duty lifting applications.

Supporting Wind Energy, Industry, and Construction

Grúas Pirineos will deploy the LTM 1650-8.1 across a wide range of applications, including:

Wind energy projects
Industrial lifting operations
Construction and infrastructure works

Initial assignments will focus on wind power installations and the assembly of girders for infrastructure projects, sectors experiencing strong growth across Spain.

Spain’s Renewable Energy and Infrastructure Boom

Spain continues to lead Europe in utility-scale renewable energy development. According to Global Energy Monitor, the country currently has:

29.5 GW of utility-scale solar capacity in operation
7.8 GW under construction
106.1 GW in early-stage development

Spain has also authorised 300 renewable projects this year alone, adding 28 GW of capacity through an investment of $18.4 billion in solar, wind, and hydropower. The national target is to achieve 81% renewable electricity by 2030, supported by ambitious goals under the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan.

Major emblematic projects include:

1.9 GW Nudo Mudéjar de Andorra solar and wind cluster
100 MW Zorita solar farm
AS Madrid-Barajas 142.42 MW photovoltaic plant
VENERGY+ lithium battery manufacturing facility
Large residential and mixed-use developments across Madrid, Sevilla, Granada, and Andalusia

Infrastructure and High-Speed Rail Expansion

Spain is also investing heavily in transport infrastructure, including major high-speed rail projects such as:

The Y Vasca, connecting the three Basque capitals and strengthening European rail links
The Madrid–Extremadura Line, a 400-km corridor connecting western Spain with Madrid

These projects continue to drive demand for high-capacity mobile cranes capable of handling complex lifting operations.

About Grúas Pirineos

Grúas Pirineos was founded in 2024 following the merger of Grúas Losfablos and Grutrans Cabos. The company was created to deliver high-capacity lifting solutions for Spain’s expanding renewable energy, infrastructure, and industrial markets.

By combining expertise, resources, and strategic fleet investment, Grúas Pirineos is positioned to support large-scale and technically demanding projects nationwide.

About Liebherr

Liebherr is a global leader in the design and manufacture of mobile cranes, crawler cranes, and construction machinery. Renowned for engineering excellence, innovation, and long-term reliability, Liebherr cranes are widely used across renewable energy, infrastructure, and industrial sectors worldwide.

The LTM 1650-8.1 represents Liebherr’s continued commitment to advancing safety, performance, and operator efficiency in the heavy-lift market.

Website: https://www.liebherr.com