La Electricity demand in Spain is entering a new growth phase After a decade of near stagnation, the country's electricity consumption is expected to increase by an average of slightly less than 2% annually until 2030, according to the latest forecasts from the International Energy Agency (IEA), a rate significantly higher than that recorded in the last ten years.
This change in trend is supported by the electrification of the economy and the boost from industrial activity, transport and tourismAt the same time, the Spanish electricity system faces the challenge of integrate large volumes of renewable energyto strengthen networks and expand storage capacity to meet a demand that will grow stronger than in the recent past.
A turning point: from a nearly flat decade to growth close to 2% per year
In 2025, the Spanish electricity demand advanced slightly above 3%., after growing by 2,3% in 2024. For the IEA, these data confirm that the country has left behind the anemic growth pattern of the last decade, when consumption barely rose by an average of 0,4% annually.
From 2026 to 2030, the international organization estimates that Electricity demand in Spain will increase by around 2% per yearor "slightly less" than that level, meaning more than four times the average rate observed in the previous ten years. This increase places Spain in the upper tier among advanced economies, in line with forecasts for the European Union as a whole, where growth of around 2% per year is also projected.
The Spanish rebound is part of a global context of increased electricity use. Globally, the IEA expects electricity consumption to grow by an average of 3,6% annually between 2026 and 2030, so that the Electricity will increase at least 2,5 times faster than total energy demandAlthough most of this progress comes from emerging economies such as China, India or Southeast Asia, advanced economies — including Spain — are also regaining prominence after more than 15 years of stagnation.
Within this group of developed countries, the IEA estimates that advanced economies contributed approximately 20% of global demand growth in 2025, a percentage that will remain around that level in the coming years. In Spain, The increase in electricity consumption is becoming established as a structural feature, linked to profound changes in the productive fabric and in the end uses of energy.
Industry, heating, transport and tourism, drivers of increased consumption
The IEA report on the Spanish electricity system attributes the Strong demand growth in 2025 leading to industrial recovery The electrification of several key sectors has already taken hold. New, more electricity-intensive manufacturing activity has been one of the main drivers of consumption over the past year.
She also gains weight Electrification of heating, both in residential buildings and in industrial facilitiesThe deployment of heat pumps and other electric heating systems is progressively replacing oil or gas boilers, which increases the demand for electricity during the colder months but reduces dependence on fossil fuels.
Another relevant vector is the electric transportThe increase in the number of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, along with the expansion of the charging network, is beginning to be reflected in national consumption. Although its share is still relatively modest compared to total demand, the IEA believes it will be an increasingly decisive factor between now and 2030.
To these elements is added the dynamism of tourismThis boosts activity in the service, hospitality, and retail sectors, all of which have a significant electricity consumption component. The combination of more visitors, increased use of air conditioning, and growing digitalization of services is driving up the electricity bills for these businesses.
In the medium term, the IEA emphasizes that the green hydrogen production and other emerging technologies It will also add to the overall consumption. The development of electrolyzers for renewable hydrogen, data centers, and new industrial applications associated with the energy transition will generate an extra increase in demand that will gradually materialize towards 2030.
Renewables on the rise and gas expanding: a mix in full transformation
The increase in electricity consumption is accompanied by a profound reconfiguration of the generation mix in SpainDuring 2025, electricity production from natural gas grew by around 20%, while the total for renewables advanced by around 1%.
Within the renewable energy sector, the performance of the Photovoltaic Solar Energywhose production increased by 12% in just one year. Conversely, wind and hydroelectric generation registered a drop of more than 5%, partly due to less favorable weather conditions. Even so, the combined weight of these technologies remains very significant in the Spanish system.
The IEA forecasts that, by 2026-2030, Renewable energies will maintain remarkable annual growth, exceeding 8,5%. During that period, solar photovoltaic and wind power production would be the main drivers, with growth rates close to 13,5% and 8,5% annually, respectively. This progress implies that renewable generation will increase much faster than electricity demand itself.
Meanwhile, coal has been virtually sidelined from the system. According to the agency, This technology barely accounted for around 1% of electricity generation in 2025confirming its almost total disappearance from the national energy mix. The combination of expanding renewables, slightly more gas, and a gradually withdrawing nuclear sector creates a system in full transition towards increasingly decarbonized electricity, but also more dependent on the management of variable sources such as wind and solar.
This situation fits with the global trend described by the IEA, which anticipates that the Renewables and nuclear energy will cover nearly half of global electricity production by 2030compared to just over 40% currently. Although the focus of the Spanish report is on the national case, the projections for Spain are moving in the same direction as for all advanced countries, with a rapid replacement of coal and an increasing use of gas as backup.
Record pace of renewable installations and boom in self-consumption
The expansion of renewable energy in Spain is evident not only in generation but also in installed capacity. By 2025, the Solar photovoltaic capacity added an additional 6,9 GW...reaching 39,4 GW, excluding self-consumption installations. This figure confirms Spain's role as one of the most dynamic markets for solar energy in Europe.
La Wind energy also continued to growAlthough at a more moderate pace, with an additional 1 GW in 2025 that raised the installed capacity to 33,2 GW. Together, both technologies have consolidated a renewable energy mix capable of covering a good part of the demand during periods of high production, which, in turn, increases the need for flexibility and storage to manage generation peaks and troughs.
The IEA also emphasizes the acceleration of distributed photovoltaic self-consumptionBy the end of 2025, the total capacity of these facilities stood at around 8,7 GW, reflecting the strong interest from households, businesses, and public administrations in generating some of their own energy. This phenomenon not only reduces consumers' electricity bills but also introduces new challenges for grid planning and operation.
From the perspective of the international organization, Spain maintains a solid and diversified position in renewablesBacked by a record-high project pipeline, the potential for further growth in solar and wind power, both onshore and offshore, reinforces the country's role as one of Europe's renewable energy hubs.
However, this massive deployment requires adapting the transport and distribution infrastructure, as well as market mechanisms, to ensure that the electricity produced in the main generation hubs can reach the consumption centers in safe and efficient conditions.
Nuclear timetable and security of supply challenges
In the nuclear field, the IEA notes that Spain maintains a phased closure schedule for its power plantsAccording to the current plan, Almaraz I would cease operations in 2027, Almaraz II in 2028, and Cofrentes and Ascó I in 2030. If this roadmap is followed, the installed nuclear power would be reduced to approximately 3 GW by the end of the forecast period.
However, the agency points out that There is still no final and irreversible decision on this scheduleThis leaves some room for maneuver for the Spanish authorities to adjust the deadlines based on the evolution of demand, renewable integration and security of supply.
The combination of rising consumption, the gradual closure of nuclear power plants, and the increasing penetration of variable renewables puts the spotlight on the resilience of the electrical systemIn this context, the blackout recorded on April 28, 2025 acted as a wake-up call: the incident attracted international attention and highlighted vulnerabilities that are not unique to Spain, but affect many advanced electrical systems in this so-called "Era of Electricity".
For the IEA, that episode reinforces the idea that it is essential Investing in networks, strengthening interconnections, and flexibility technologies If we want to reconcile a highly renewable energy system with high levels of security and quality of supply, the balance between rapid decarbonization and operational stability becomes one of the main energy policy challenges for the coming years.
Networks, interconnections and storage: keys to supporting the new demand
Given this scenario, the report highlights that Spain has begun to strengthen its regulatory and planning framework for networks and storage. One of the key areas is boosting energy storage capacity, both with batteries and other systems, designed to smooth out the variability of renewable production and accommodate peak demand. In this context, the energy storage capacity and the accompanying industrial development are key to the transition.
The Government has set itself the goal reach 22,5 GW of storage by 2030To approach that figure, calls for proposals for new projects have been launched, and a Royal Decree has been approved that facilitates the hybridization of renewable energy installations with storage systems and simplifies the permitting process. At the same time, certain system operating rules have been tightened to strengthen security and flexibility.
Another central element is the transport network development plan to 2030Currently open for public consultation, this document outlines investments of approximately €13.600 billion to integrate more renewable energy and storage capacity, strengthen interconnections with other countries—particularly France—and adapt infrastructure to the anticipated increase in electricity demand. Furthermore, companies in the sector are promoting initiatives to strengthen interconnections and operations in the face of seasonal stress situations.
Interconnections continue to be a strategic priority for Spain and for the European Union itselfThis is because a greater capacity for electricity exchange with the rest of the continent allows for more efficient management of both renewable energy surpluses and periods of scarcity. However, the IEA emphasizes that, in parallel with these cross-border connections, the push for domestic storage and flexibility solutions to guarantee system stability is gaining increasing political weight.
Taken together, these measures seek to create a system capable of addressing a electricity demand is growing at around 2% annuallywith an increasing percentage of clean generation and backup technologies adapted to a scenario of widespread electrification of the economy.
In light of the IEA's forecasts, Spain faces the coming years with a horizon of sustained electricity consumption, driven by industry, heating, transport, and new technologies such as green hydrogen, while renewables will continue to gain ground and coal will be definitively relegated. The key will be whether the deployment of networks, storage, and interconnections can keep pace with this surge in demand without compromising security of supply or excessively increasing electricity bills.