Real-time electricity demand has become a key indicator for understanding how the electrical system behaves at any given time. It not only allows us to see how much electricity we are consuming overall, but also shows where that energy is coming from, which technologies are operating, and the environmental impact of all this in the form of CO2 emissions . In Spain, this type of information is constantly updated and available to anyone who wants to consult it.
Having this data, presented in graphs and curves that are updated every few minutes , helps both system operators and advanced users, including businesses and energy enthusiasts. Furthermore, it can be complemented by monitoring individual electricity consumption at home, thanks to smart meters and the online portals of energy distributors—tools that help optimize electricity use . A thorough understanding of how this entire system works is essential for navigating a context of fluctuating prices, energy transition, and a commitment to renewable energy.
What is real-time electricity demand?
When we talk about real-time electricity demand, we are referring to the instantaneous consumption of electricity occurring in the electrical system at a specific moment. In Spain, the system operator publishes this data continuously through graphs (the well-known demand curves) that are updated every five or ten minutes, depending on the geographical area considered.
These curves display, at any given moment, several types of information : the actual demand occurring, the forecasted demand calculated in advance, and the scheduled demand that had been incorporated into the electricity markets. They also identify the maximum and minimum demand values ​​reached throughout each day, allowing for a clear view of peak consumption and off-peak hours.
Alongside demand data, a breakdown of the electricity generation needed to meet that consumption is usually presented. This includes the different technologies in the electricity mix (wind, solar, hydroelectric, nuclear, combined cycle gas turbines, coal if present, cogeneration, etc.), as well as the energy destined for export to other countries or for specific uses such as pumped hydro storage. In this way, it's not only clear how much is being consumed, but also how that electricity is being produced.
An increasingly important additional element is information on the CO2 equivalent emissions associated with the generation fleet. The system operator calculates these emissions by assigning each technology an official emission factor, in accordance with European plans and regulations , and displays both total emissions and a breakdown by energy source. This allows for a direct correlation between real-time demand and its carbon footprint.
In addition to the general graph of the demand curve, there are representations by time intervals (for example, by days, weeks or months) that allow the analysis of homogeneous behavior patterns: how consumption habits change according to the day of the week, the season of the year or specific situations such as cold waves, heat waves or special holidays.
Recent evolution of electricity demand in Spain
In recent years, electricity demand in Spain has fluctuated due to economic factors , energy prices, weather, and, of course, the pandemic. After two consecutive years of decline, 2024 marked a turning point with a slight increase in national electricity consumption.
In 2024, total electricity demand in Spain reached 248.811 GWh , representing a 0,9% increase compared to the previous year. This rebound comes after a period in which demand was hampered by the health crisis, changes in consumption habits, and a slowdown in economic activity.
The Spanish economy registered remarkable growth in 2024 compared to other countries in the region . This progress was primarily driven by domestic consumption and exports, with household spending and tourism playing a decisive role. Factors such as the war in Ukraine, the international energy crisis, and extreme weather events (like the DANA storm at the end of October) did not prevent the country from demonstrating high resilience, with relatively low inflation and a high level of employment.
Despite this recovery, electricity demand remains below pre-COVID-19 levels . In other words, more electricity is being consumed than in the years immediately following the pandemic, but demand volumes have not yet reached those seen before the health crisis. This is related to structural changes in working practices, energy efficiency, and the expansion of self-consumption.
If we analyze only the Iberian Peninsula, which accounts for approximately 94% of Spanish demand , the trend is very similar to that of the country as a whole. In 2024, demand in the Iberian Peninsula reached 233.462 GWh, also showing a 0,9% increase compared to the previous year. This figure reinforces the idea of ​​a moderate but widespread recovery in electricity consumption.
The role of storage and pumping in the electrical system
Energy storage has become a fundamental component for integrating renewables and managing demand in real time. In the Spanish system, pumped hydro storage and, to a lesser extent, batteries, are reaching record levels of use.
In 2024, consumption associated with pumped storage reached 8.666 GWh , while turbine energy (i.e., the energy returned to the grid after pumping water to an upper reservoir) reached 5.459 GWh. These figures represent increases of 5,8% and 4,9% respectively compared to 2023, but the most striking aspect is that they are more than 40% higher than the figures for 2022 and approximately triple what was recorded before the pandemic.
This growth in pumped storage makes perfect sense in an increasingly renewable energy system . When there is abundant wind or solar power generation and demand is low, some of that energy could be wasted if it isn't stored. Pumped storage allows energy to be used during periods of surplus (by pumping water to an elevated reservoir) and then recovered when demand increases or renewable energy production decreases, thus reducing renewable energy outflows and stabilizing the grid.
March 2024 was particularly significant, as it became the month with the highest pumped storage consumption on record . Interestingly, it coincided with the month that registered the largest overall contribution of renewable energy, both in absolute energy and as a percentage of the generation mix. This demonstrates how energy storage is intrinsically linked to the success of the transition to a cleaner energy system.
In addition to pumped hydro storage, batteries are gradually gaining ground . During 2024, these installations stored around 11 GWh, which, although still a very small amount compared to pumped hydro storage, is already double the amount recorded in 2023. This technology is in a phase of expansion and is expected to play an increasingly important role both at the grid level and in domestic and industrial installations; initiatives such as the second life of batteries show practical examples of their use.
Demand behavior by autonomous communities
If we break down the electricity demand in mainland Spain by autonomous community, we observe a general increase in most regions during 2024, although with varying degrees of increase and some cases of decrease. These variations are closely linked to the productive structure, population, and also to the impact of electricity prices and efficiency measures.
In mainland Spain, several regions registered increases above the national average of 0,9%. This was the case in Aragon, Asturias, Cantabria, Castile-La Mancha, Galicia, Murcia, and Navarre. All of them exceeded 0,9%, with increases in some cases reaching or clearly surpassing 3%, reflecting greater dynamism in electricity consumption associated with their economic activity and climatic characteristics.
Other regions, such as the Basque Country, Castile and León, and the Community of Madrid, also saw increased demand , although at a rate below the peninsular average. Their increases, for example 0,3%, 0,6%, or 0,7%, show a positive but more moderate trend, in line with a combination of energy efficiency, changing habits, and the sectoral composition of their economies.
On the other hand, some regions reduced their electricity consumption compared to the previous year . Andalusia, Catalonia, Extremadura, La Rioja, and the Valencian Community registered slight decreases, ranging from -0,01% to just under -1%. These reductions may be related to efficiency policies, increased self-consumption, changes in industry, and the impact of high electricity prices in recent years.
High electricity prices have spurred energy-saving and efficiency measures in both homes and businesses. Many individuals have opted to install photovoltaic self-consumption systems or adjust their habits to consume more during off-peak hours, while companies have optimized processes and contracts. All of this has a direct impact on the demand registered by the electricity system; therefore, it is crucial to better coordinate subsidies for photovoltaic self-consumption and facilitate its deployment.
If we broaden our perspective to the entire country, including the non-peninsular systems , we also observe a particular trend in the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands, Ceuta, and Melilla. These areas, due to their electrical isolation and dependence on local generation, tend to exhibit somewhat different demand patterns.
The Balearic Islands returned to positive growth rates in 2024 , with a 0,3% increase in demand. After several years marked by the pandemic and the decline in tourism, this trend suggests a gradual recovery of activity in the archipelago, which is heavily dependent on the service sector.
The Canary Islands maintained their upward trend, albeit at a slightly more moderate pace . Demand increased by 0,5%, allowing them to surpass the consumption levels recorded in 2019, before the pandemic. This is a clear indicator of the economic and tourism recovery in the islands.
In Ceuta, electricity demand registered a slight increase of 0,2% , after several consecutive years of decline. This small uptick indicates a change in trend, although the absolute figures remain small due to the size of the system.
Melilla, for its part, continued to grow but at a much slower pace than in previous years , meaning it has not yet recovered to pre-pandemic demand levels. Its evolution highlights the sensitivity of these island and extra-peninsular systems to specific economic and demographic factors.
How demand is represented: actual, forecast and planned curves
The most common way to visualize electricity demand in real time is through a graph of curves showing different demand profiles for the same day. In the case of the Iberian Peninsula's grid, the system operator presents this data with a resolution of about ten minutes, providing a very accurate picture of consumption trends.
These graphs typically show a real demand curve, usually represented in yellow . This line reflects the instantaneous value of the electricity demand being recorded at any given moment. It is, so to speak, a snapshot of the actual consumption of all consumers connected to the system in near real time.
Alongside the actual curve appears the demand forecast, which is usually shown in green . This forecast is prepared by the operator based on historical consumption values ​​for comparable periods (for example, other winter Mondays with similar characteristics), adjusted according to factors such as working days (whether it is a holiday or a workday), weather (extreme temperatures, rain, etc.), and expected economic activity.
The system also incorporates the so-called operational time schedule, represented as a stepped red line . This line indicates the scheduled production for the generating units that have been awarded contracts in the day-ahead and intraday markets, as well as in the deviation management and tertiary regulation markets. These latter markets are managed by the system operator to adapt the generation supply to the actual evolution of demand.
Comparing actual, forecast, and planned demand allows for an assessment of forecast quality and system responsiveness. When actual demand deviates significantly from the forecast, balancing mechanisms and services are necessary to maintain grid stability and ensure sufficient generation to meet demand.
Alongside the representation of demand, many charts incorporate the generation structure that is meeting that consumption . That is, they show what percentage corresponds to renewables (wind, solar, hydroelectric, biomass, etc.), how much energy comes from nuclear power, combined cycle gas turbines, or other fossil fuel technologies, and how much energy is destined for export or pumped storage. This information provides a comprehensive view of the state of the electrical system at any given time.
CO2 emissions and emission factors by technology
Each MWh of electricity consumed has an associated volume of CO2 equivalent emissions , which depends on the technology used to generate it. Therefore, it is common to find data on the total emissions produced by the generation fleet and their distribution by energy source on information portals for the electricity system.
To calculate these emissions, each technology is assigned a specific emission factor , as outlined in official plans such as the Spanish Renewable Energy Plan 2005-2010 and aligned with European decisions such as Commission Decision 2007/589/EC. For example, coal-fired power plants and combined cycle gas turbines have high emission factors, while renewables such as wind and solar power have virtually zero emissions during operation.
The result is that, in near real-time, it's possible to know how many tons of CO2 are being generated in the Iberian Peninsula's electricity system and what proportion corresponds to each technology. This information is very useful for evaluating the degree of decarbonization of the electricity mix, comparing specific days or periods, and assessing the impact of renewable energy penetration on emissions.
Furthermore, users can easily correlate peak demand with peak emissions . If demand spikes during a particular time period and gas-fired power plants or other fossil fuel technologies need to be brought online, emissions associated with that period will increase. Conversely, during periods of high renewable energy production and moderate demand, emissions can drop significantly.
This transparency in emissions associated with real-time demand contributes to climate awareness and can help consumers, businesses, and institutions make more responsible decisions about their consumption schedules, their investments in self-consumption, or the contracting of supplies with a greater renewable component.
How to see your home's electricity consumption in real time
Beyond the overall data for the electricity system, each user can check their own consumption in near real-time . This is especially useful given the significant fluctuations in electricity bills, with peak and off-peak periods that can drastically increase the cost if consumption is concentrated during the most expensive hours.
There are two basic ways to find out how much electricity you're using at home at any given time . The first is the physical way: if you have access to your electricity meter (for example, in a meter room in your building's entrance hall), you can directly see the power and energy you're consuming. The second is the digital way: by accessing your electricity distributor's online portal, provided your home has a smart meter that sends data in real time.
By consulting this data digitally, you can not only see instant consumption , but also other very useful metrics: the power peaks you have reached, daily and monthly consumption, the times when you use the most energy and, in general, a fairly detailed history with which you can analyze your consumption habits.
With this information, you can identify when your energy consumption is most expensive and which appliances or electrical uses are driving up your bill. If, for example, you notice a significant spike in power consumption every time you turn on the oven or air conditioning, you can reorganize your routines or group certain uses during off-peak hours.
Distributors and retailers: who you need to contact
To view your electricity meter readings online, the first step is to identify your electricity distributor . This is often confusing because the company you sign your electricity contract with (your supplier) isn't necessarily the same one that delivers your electricity.
Distribution companies are responsible for delivering electricity to your home or business ; they own the grid and are responsible for its maintenance. Retail companies, on the other hand, sell you the energy, offer tariffs and additional services, and issue your bill. In Spain, there are hundreds of retail companies, but far fewer distributors, concentrated in a few large companies and several smaller ones.
To check your meter readings, you'll always need to access your distribution company's website , not your energy supplier's. Even if your supplier has a comprehensive customer area, direct and detailed access to your meter readings is managed by the distribution company, which receives the information from the meter in real time.
If you're unsure who your electricity distributor is, the easiest way is to check one of your electricity bills . It's usually clearly identified there. You can also use coverage maps that show which distributors operate in each area, although the most reliable information will always be what's on your bill.
Requirements to check your online usage
Before registering on your distributor's portal, there are two basic requirements you must meet . The first is to have a smart meter in your home or building, that is, a device capable of sending consumption data to the distributor via remote communication.
The installation of a smart meter is not the responsibility of the individual user , but is usually arranged at the community level or through the electricity distributor. If you are unsure whether your meter is a smart meter, you can ask your community, the property manager, or the electricity distributor directly.
The second requirement is to register on your electricity distributor's website . Each company has its own registration system, but the process is generally simple and guided. You will need to provide personal and contact information, and in many cases, specific details about your supply point, such as the CUPS code shown on your bill.
The country's main electricity distributors typically require a combination of your first and last name, ID number, email address , mobile phone number, and, in some cases, a physical address or a scanned copy of an official document. They may also request your CUPS code to link your online account to your specific electricity supply.
Once you've completed the registration, you'll typically have to wait around 48 hours for it to be validated . During this time, the distributor checks that the information you provided is correct and that you are indeed authorized to access the meter data. After this validation, you'll be able to log in to the portal as usual with your username and password.
What information can you see on your distributor's portal?
Once you have access to your electricity distributor's customer area, you'll be able to view a wide range of data related to your electricity consumption. Although the interface and options vary between companies, almost all offer some very useful common features.
Typically, you'll have access to hourly and daily graphs showing your energy consumption at any given time . You can visualize peak demand times, identify patterns (for example, higher consumption at night if you have an electric vehicle or in the afternoon due to cooking and heating), and compare different periods.
It's also common to find information about your maximum contracted power and your actual power usage . This lets you know if you're overpaying for power you never use or, conversely, if you're very close to your limit and risk tripping the circuit breakers when you connect several high-power appliances at once.
Among the most useful options is the instantaneous power reading , which lets you know how much energy you're consuming at that very moment. This feature is usually found in specific sections of the website and may be more or less visible depending on the energy provider, but it allows you to run direct tests with your appliances.
By viewing your energy consumption in real time, you can turn appliances on and off to see their impact on power usage. For example, when you turn on the oven, the hob, or an air conditioner, you'll see your consumption rise. This type of home experiment helps you become aware of which appliances are the biggest energy hogs and optimize their use to reduce your bill.
Although each website has its own design, most also include monthly consumption summaries , comparisons with previous months, breakdowns by time of day (peak, shoulder, off-peak), and, in some cases, estimates of the economic impact. These tools are designed so that anyone, without needing to be an energy expert, can better understand how and when they consume electricity.
Checking this data regularly is a good practice to adjust your consumption habits , assess tariff changes, decide if it's worth installing photovoltaic self-consumption, or simply avoid surprises on your bill when wholesale prices are tight.
Apps and tools to monitor the electrical system in real time
In addition to official websites and charts, there are specific applications that allow you to closely monitor the Spanish electricity system in real time. One of these is the app developed by the system operator, which brings together much of the information we've been discussing in one place.
This application typically offers different user profiles, geared towards both consumers and professionals . In consumer mode, the goal is to present information in a simple and educational way, so that anyone can check the status of the system, the contribution of renewables, electricity prices, or associated emissions.
The professional profile offers a wider level of detail and a broader range of available indicators . Here you can find more comprehensive data on generation by technology, demand curves, wholesale prices, international electricity exchanges, installed capacity, emissions trends, and more. It is a particularly useful tool for companies in the energy sector, analysts, and individuals with an advanced interest in energy.
Among the categories of information that these apps usually include are real-time electricity demand, generation by technology, CO2 emissions , installed capacity in the system, exchanges with other countries, wholesale market prices and, in some cases, references to retail prices or signals for the end consumer.
Easy and free access to this data contributes to greater transparency in the operation of the electricity system and helps both individual users and professionals make better-informed decisions. In a context of energy transition and increasing electrification of the economy, being aware of how demand is evolving and how it is being met in real time is almost essential to understanding the current energy landscape.
Ultimately, the combination of official charts, distributor portals, and mobile applications allows you to track with considerable accuracy what is happening in the electrical system and in your own home, detect trends, measure the impact of renewables, and assess whether you are using electricity in the most efficient and economical way possible.
