The energy situation in Spain has taken a surprising turn in recent years, especially with the push for renewable energy. For a long time, it seemed like a non-priority issue for certain governments, but the European Union and the urgent need to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, in addition to environmental commitment, have led to a rethinking of the energy strategy.
European Union and its guidelines on renewable energy
Since 2004, the European Union has set a clear course towards energy sustainability. A key year was 2020, when it was established that 20% of the total energy consumed in member countries should come from renewable sources. Each country, depending on its capabilities and resources, had to reach a specific target. For Spain, this target was also 20% renewable energy. In contrast, according to Eurostat data, many European countries achieved their targets before 2015. However, Spain lagged behind, reaching only 16,15% renewable energy in 2015. This stagnation, caused mainly by the restrictive energy policies of the PP government in 2012, limited growth until that year.
Spain: Post-crisis energy situation
The economic crisis that hit Spain caused a sharp decline in electricity demand, which led to an overcapacity of installed power, mostly from fossil fuels. In this context, the decision was made to curb renewables, justifying that there was more than enough energy available from non-renewable sources. However, real progress in renewable energies began to gain momentum again in 2017, when the government decided to hold an auction of 3000 megawatts aimed at companies in the sector.
Auctions and allocations in the renewable energy sector
Initially, the 2017 auction was criticised by the Spanish Photovoltaic Union (UNEF) because it favoured wind energy. According to UNEF, the valuation system gave greater opportunities to more developed technologies, such as wind energy, leaving photovoltaic energy at a disadvantage. The complaint was even brought before the Supreme Court, which, although it rejected the total suspension of the auction, opened the possibility of future compensation if discrimination was proven. As a result of this auction, wind energy was awarded 99,3% of the 3000 megawatts auctioned. However, the success of the event led to an additional auction months later, where another 3000 megawatts were allocated, this time with a greater share of photovoltaic energy.
In this second auction, photovoltaics emerged as the big winner, achieving a lower guaranteed price and winning the majority of the projects. This was a reflection of the lower installation costs of photovoltaic solar plants and the increased interest of investors, who expected high returns due to the aid received for each megawatt installed.
The advancement of renewables: 2023, a historic year
According to recent data published by Red Eléctrica de España (REE), by 2023, renewable energies have achieved an unprecedented milestone in the Spanish electricity system. More than 50% of the electricity generated in the country came from renewable sources, placing Spain at the top in Europe together with Germany. This progress is not only important from a sustainability point of view, but also improves Spain's energy independence. In 2023, the technologies that have stood out are wind power, which has covered 23,5% of electricity production, and solar photovoltaic, with a share of 14%. Thanks to these technologies, combined with hydroelectric power, the country has significantly reduced its carbon emissions.
The keys to success in 2023
The success of 2023 can be attributed to several factors:
- Greater investment in renewable energy infrastructure, especially in photovoltaics and wind power.
- Favorable weather conditions boosted hydro and solar production.
- Reducing the cost of solar panels and improving the efficiency of wind turbines, allowing more electricity to be generated with lower operating costs.
In fact, at the end of 2023, Spain surpassed a historic record: the Spanish electricity system managed to generate 73,3% of electricity from renewable sources in a single day. This fact reflects the potential of renewables in the country and the good moment that these technologies are going through at a national level.
The global impact: Spain's role in the European and global context
Spain is not only leading the way in Europe, but is also considered a key renewable hub. Compared to other European countries, Spain has achieved sustained growth, with more than 32.000 megawatts of installed photovoltaic energy, which places it ahead of more established technologies such as wind or natural gas.
Comparisons with other countries
– In Germany, although it remains a benchmark in renewables, it was in 2023 when they managed to cover, for the first time, more than 50% of electricity consumption with clean sources. – Italy has adopted a comprehensive approach, incorporating renewable energies together with nuclear energy and other clean technologies to diversify its energy mix. – In France, the situation is different. Although nuclear reactors continue to dominate the energy mix, renewable energies have been gaining ground in recent years, with historic records in wind power.
Projections to 2030
The National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC) establishes that Spain must achieve 81% renewable generation by 2030. With current progress, the energy transition is underway, and not only are the objectives expected to be met, but they could be exceeded in some areas. Spain has established itself as a pioneer country in the fight against climate change, advancing in clean technologies that not only benefit the environment, but also the national economy. The growth of renewables has generated thousands of jobs and has improved the country's competitiveness internationally. With current projections, Spain is likely to continue leading the sector in innovation and efficiency.