La Wind Business Association (AEE) has carried out an exhaustive analysis entitled “Elements necessary for the energy transition. Proposals for the electrical sector”, with key data on the future of wind energy in Spain. According to this report, it is estimated that by 2030, Spain will need 17.000 additional MW of wind energy, which will allow reaching a total of 40.000 MW of installed capacity. This power will allow covering more than one 30% of the country's total electricity generation.
The analysis was subsequently confirmed by the Committee of Experts for Energy Transition, underlining its relevance in the national energy landscape.
Projections for 2020 and 2030
In more concrete terms, the AEE estimates that by 2020, Spain will reach an installed capacity of 28.000 MW of wind energy. This figure includes the tenders for new capacity awarded in 2016 and 2017, as well as the wind quota of the Canary Islands, which adds nearly 5.000 additional MW installed.
Between 2017 and 2020, wind power capacity in Spain will grow at an average rate of 1.700 MW per year, thus consolidating the role of this technology in the country's energy mix. However, between 2020 and 2030, the pace of installation will slow slightly, with an annual growth of 1.200 MW, although this will allow Spain to reach the 40.000 MW installed capacity by the end of the decade.
Benefits of increasing installed power
The increase in wind power will bring multiple benefits. By 2020, a 30% reduction in emissions from the electricity sector compared to 2005 levels. By 2030, this reduction in emissions will reach 42 %, reflecting the positive impact that wind energy has on decarbonisation objectives.
The accelerated installation of new technologies and optimization of existing ones will allow the Spanish electrical system to reach a 100% decarbonization by 2040, which will contribute greatly to the adaptation needed to face climate change. In this sense, it is projected that In 2020, renewable energies will cover 40% of electricity demand of the country, increasing to 62% in 2030, 92% in 2040, and reaching 100% in 2050.
In addition, 17.000 additional MW of wind energy are crucial to offsetting the cessation of operations of fossil fuel-based plants. This new capacity will also meet the growing electricity demand driven by the electrification of transport and the growth of economic activity.
Repowering of wind farms
Another key aspect is the repowering of the aging wind farms in the country. The AEE stresses the need to modernize these parks to improve their efficiency and ensure that they continue to contribute significantly to energy production in the coming decades.
On the other hand, the expansion of wind farms by 2030 will also generate 32.000 direct and indirect jobs in the sector, which will contribute to the growth of the Spanish economy. In fact, it is estimated that wind energy will contribute more than 4.000 billion euros to GDP Spain.
Improving energy security
Reducing dependence on fossil fuels will also significantly improve Spain's energy securityIt is estimated that wind energy will reduce the import of fossil fuels by a volume equivalent to 18 million tons of oil, which will prevent the emission of 47 million tons of CO2 in the process.
The AEE vision towards 2050
The AEE has an ambitious vision beyond 2030. It is projected that by 2050, Spain will have 60.000 MW of installed wind capacityAccording to Juan Virgilio Márquez, general director of the Wind Energy Business Association, the sector is prepared to supply more than 30% of electricity demand by 2030, making a decisive contribution to decarbonisation objectives.
To achieve this objective, the AEE has proposed the implementation of a series of measures that facilitate the incorporation of renewable energy in the Spanish energy mix. These measures include:
- Create a stable regulatory framework that guarantees continued interest and investment within the sector.
- Establish stable compensation mechanisms, with a clear auction schedule for the coming years.
- Facilitate investments in energy interconnections between neighbouring countries to improve the capacity to export surplus renewable generation.
- Implement a mechanism of 'carbon pricing' that puts a price on carbon, incentivizing the transition to cleaner and more efficient technologies.
The authorities are also called upon to establish a environmental taxation that encourages investment in clean technologies. The central concept of this tax is that “the polluter pays”, which would send a clear signal to investors to opt for more environmentally friendly technologies.
The future of wind energy in Spain is bright, with a key position in the energy transition that the country needs to undertake. Thanks to technological advances and proactive policies, it is possible to anticipate sustained growth that will allow Spain not only to meet, but to go beyond its climate and energy goals for 2030 and 2050.