The latest report from the Observatori de les Energies Renovables de Catalunya (OBERCat) has confirmed what many feared: The share of clean energy sources in the Catalan electricity system has decreased again.During 2025, the coverage of demand with renewable energies remained at 15,3%, nine tenths below the 16,2% recorded in 2024. A setback that further distances the community from the 50% target set for 2030 in the Energy Outlook of Catalonia (Proencat).
The data, presented this Tuesday by OBERCat spokesperson Víctor Cusí, show a combination of adverse factors: Renewable energy production fell by 3,1% to 6.940,68 GWhMeanwhile, electricity demand grew by 2,7% to 45.250,58 GWh. The result is a loss of energy sovereignty, as electricity imports (7.144,97 GWh) exceeded domestic clean energy generation for the first time.
A widespread decline in renewable coverage
The report attributes the decline to three main causes: the increase in electricity consumption, the drop in wind power generation, and the insufficient pace of installation of new renewable capacityWind power was the biggest loser: its production fell by 16,8% compared to 2024, covering just 5,2% of demand. In contrast, ground-mounted solar photovoltaics grew by 17,5%, but its share remains negligible (1,1% of demand). Hydropower, meanwhile, contributed 8,4%.
Víctor Cusí, also president of the wind energy employers' association EolicCat, was emphatic: “Catalonia continues to fall further behind its renewable energy deployment targets. We are very far from 50%.”He warned that, if implementation is not accelerated, the community will have to choose between increasing its dependence on interconnections with neighboring territories or massively promoting wind and solar power.
Nuclear power remains king, imports are skyrocketing
Despite the push from renewables, Nuclear energy continues to be the main source of electricity generation in CataloniaThe three reactors at Ascó I, Ascó II, and Vandellòs II produced 22.812,07 GWh, covering 50,4% of demand. This was followed by fossil fuels (15%) and imports (20%). The import balance reached 7.144,97 GWh, 6,4% higher than in 2024, and represents the third highest value since 1990.
“We have lost energy sovereignty,” lamented Cusí, who stressed that Buying more energy than we are able to generate cleanly creates security and competitiveness problems.In fact, imports already exceed the volume of the entire renewable energy production of the territory.
Photovoltaic self-consumption: a slowdown after the boom in subsidies
One of the most striking findings of the report is the slowdown in photovoltaic self-consumption. In 2025, 14.890 new systems were installed, 31% less than the previous year, and installed capacity fell by 34% to 231 MWThe end of European Next Generation aid, rising interest rates, and the perception that electricity is cheaper have cooled the market.
The observatory points out that this recession has profoundly affected companies in the sector, from large corporations like Holaluz to small installers. “It's not a good message that a company that has promoted self-consumption in Catalonia is in crisis,” stated Gorka Martí, another spokesperson for OBERCat. Despite the slowdown, Catalonia remains the leader in collective self-consumption, accounting for 16% of the total installed capacity in Spain.
Stalled projects and exorbitant fees: the administrative bottleneck
The report reveals that Catalonia has a sufficient portfolio of projects to achieve the 2030 targets: 231 wind power initiatives (8.181,96 MW) and 1.107 photovoltaic solar projects (10.913,88 MW)However, most are stalled due to the slowness of administrative procedures, especially in the determination of environmental impact in renewable energy projectsThe observatory reports that the fees for a typical 50 MW wind farm amount to 119.521 euros, nine times more than in Aragon and 600 times more than in Navarre.
“We don’t need more projects, we need to implement them,” Cusí insisted. The average processing time for a photovoltaic project is 900 days, and for a wind project, around 1.200 days.The Catalan government, led by Salvador Illa, has presented a draft bill to simplify urban planning and environmental procedures, which the sector sees as an opportunity. However, opposition from groups like Unió de Pagesos, which is calling for the annulment of the Plater territorial plan, adds to the uncertainty.
Batteries and simplification: the keys to changing course
Despite the grim outlook, the report also points to elements of hope. Catalonia has become the leading region in processing battery storage projectsThese are essential for providing stability to the grid when there is no sun or wind. Furthermore, in the first quarter of 2026, installed solar power capacity has already doubled compared to the previous year, with the commissioning of large parks such as the one in Alcarràs (Segrià) and the repowering of wind farms in El Perelló.
The coordinator of the Government's Interdepartmental Commission for Energy Transition, Daniel Pérez, says that "we are at a turning point that will mark a change of cycle." The upcoming law on administrative simplification and the already approved battery decree are key tools to accelerate deploymentHowever, the observatory points out that 107.000 qualified professionals will still be needed by 2050, which necessitates a search for new talent. renewable energy courses and training for about 4.000 workers each year.
The setback in 2025 offers a clear lesson: without a firm commitment to streamlined procedures, training, and energy storage, Catalonia will struggle to meet its climate commitments. Nuclear power will remain the cornerstone for years to come, but the prospect of its gradual phase-out demands immediate action. Meanwhile, dependence on imports and fossil fuels continues to grow, and the goal of 50% renewable energy by 2030 seems increasingly distant.
