Abengoa nets first Japanese mirror-power investor

MADRID, Sept 2 (Reuters) - Spanish engineering and renewable energy group Abengoa (ABG.MC) said on Thursday it has attracted Japanese group JGC Corp (1963.T) as a minority investor in two solar mirror-power plants being built in southern Spain.

JGC's stake in the two 50 megawatt power plants, which will cost over 500 million euros ($640 million) and already qualify for Spain's lucrative solar subsidies, is the first one taken by a Japanese investor in commercial solar thermal power, Abengoa said.

"To have a leading Japanese engineering company and banks in this alliance shows the interest of international investors in Spanish solar thermal power," Abengoa Solar chief executive Santiago Seage said.

Two Japanese banks -- Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp (8316.T) and Japan's second largest bank by assets Mizuho Financial Corp (8411.T) -- were involved in the 350 million euro project financing deal for the plants, which was secured in August.

Abengoa will operate and maintain a controlling 74 percent stake in the plants which reflect the sun's rays to superheat liquid and power a turbine.

The plants, Solacor 1 and Solacor 2, are in Cordoba, one of Spain's areas of highest solar radiation, and due to come on stream in 2012. (Reporting by Jonathan Gleave; Editing by Dan Lalor) ($1 = 0.7814 euro)