The EU wants to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy sources so that with their contribution we can achieve the goal of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030.
He Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (Pniec) which has just given its approval Council of Ministers (that’s a tissue paper can still change) puts forward the objectives from the previous government plan (approved in 2020). And it uplifts them beyond measure.
Namely: The government has increased the wind target from 50,333 megawatts (that was what the Executive proposed in that first Pniec) to the 62,044 it now proposes (I mean, +23%).
The ambition grows even more in the field of photovoltaic energy (FV). The 2020 document set a goal of reaching 39,181 megabytes by that date. Well then, The 2023 Pniec increases that figure to 76,387 MWwhich means almost first duplicate the target (the 39,000 indicated in 2020) and much more than a tripling of the currently installed PV capacity (21,311 MW). All in seven years. That’s how the Plan has remained.
The Wind Industry Association (AEE) presents the results of another year Macroeconomic study of the impact of the wind sector in Spaindrawn up in collaboration with Deloitte. This report highlights the key role of wind energy as an economic driver and highlights the indicators that characterize wind energy as a backbone technology for the country’s socio-economic progress..
Its industrial positioning and technological development, together with its positive impact on the price of electricity and the environment, in addition to the creation of employment with high added value, make wind energy a first-class land asset that should furthermore be promoted a priority sector in the new European framework for competitiveness and industrial autonomy.
However, the sector faces significant challenges. Key conclusions of the report include:
* Insufficient annual installation: Spain must significantly accelerate the deployment of new wind energy to meet its 2030 targets. The annual installation is far from the targets we need to achieve, which has multiple consequences throughout the value chain. If wind energy does not meet its targets, Spain will not meet its targets.
* Prominence in the mix: Even with the low installation rate, wind energy represents 24% of the energy mix in terms of power with more than 30.5 GW and already covers 25.6% of electricity demand, consolidating itself as the first electric technology in Spain.
* Global leadership: Spain remains a global wind reference and maintains a leading position. It is the second country in the EU and sixth in the world in terms of installed capacity, and also occupies fifth place as the world exporter of wind turbines in 2023.
* Territorial deployment: Wind energy is widely available in the area. Castilla y León remains the leader in generation and installed energy, while Aragón reaches second place and leads the installation of new capacity by 2023. 868 municipalities in 16 of the 17 CCAA have wind farms, for a total of 1,371 wind farms in 2023. the country.
However, the wind sector emphasizes the importance of progress on key issues such as:
* Higher public interest: It is essential to translate this concept of European regulation into a clear and harmonized legal framework at state level, which allows to homogenize regional criteria and unblock wind projects in the face of administrative barriers or questions in the territories.
* ElectrificationMeasures are needed to promote the electrification of key sectors, strengthening the link between clean energy and industry. It is crucial to focus public instruments for the development of the energy transition primarily on the growth of electricity demand.
* IndustrySpain controls 100% of the wind value chain, with 287 industrial centers in 16 autonomous communities, whose viability depends on achieving an ambitious and effective European and national industrial policy to keep our capabilities and competitiveness constant in threat markets. The NZIA (Net Zero industrial Act) and the CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment mechanism) offer no guarantees for this and can generate opposite effects in the first years of life.
* Floating marina breeze: The full development of a regulatory framework with the ministerial decision designing the first auction and its call in 2025 are urgent in order not to lose industrial opportunities as a country.
* RepoweringRepowering wind farms should become a national priority and encourage their deployment, but never through coercive measures that could cause economic losses for investors.
*Social acceptance: It is crucial to strengthen dialogue with local communities and promote transparency at all stages of projects. The sector and the institutions must work with great anticipation, pedagogy, sensitivity and rigor, as we are witnessing a social opposition, which is in the minority, but which can cause delays in the construction of parks in certain areas.
Wind energy is not only essential for the energy transition and decarbonization, but also for maintaining Spain’s industrial competitiveness and energy independence.. AEE reiterates the need for a strong commitment from governments and all actors involved to overcome current challenges and benefit from the full potential of wind energy as a pillar of the energy future.
The main indicators of the wind sector in Spain
* In 2023, theWind generation amounted to 62,594 GWhwhich represents a demand coverage of 25.6%. In this way, wind energy is consolidated as the first technology in the energy mix.
* The total contribution of the wind sector to GDP, both direct and indirect, amounted to €3,791 million, 0.31% of GDP in Spain.
* The wind sector’s direct contribution to Spain’s GDP amounted to €2,434 million in 2023, while its indirect contribution amounted to €1,357 million.
* The sector employs 35,741 people (19,421 direct jobs and 16,320 indirect jobs).
* By 2023, Export activity amounted to €1,970 million. Spain is the fifth gross exporter of wind turbines in the world, after Germany, Denmark, China and India.
* By 2023, Wind energy saved imports of 12 million toe, with a value of € 3,697.6 million.
* In terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissionsBy 2023, 32.8 million tons of CO2 will no longer be emitted.
* The wind sector continues to bear a significant tax burden. In 2023, the sector will have had a tax burden of 578 million euros (46% more than personnel costs).
* The wind sector will have achieved this by 2023 investments in research and development equal to 3.49% of its contribution to gross domestic product: 84.9 million euros.
*Wind generation has a lowering effect on electricity prices and on the sector’s own income. Using wind energy instead of fossil fuels has saved Spanish consumers €4,685 million in 2023.
Wind energy in the autonomous communities
Wind farms in Spain are located in almost all autonomous communities. In Spain there are a total of 8,135 municipalities and 868 have wind installations. 10% of Spanish municipalities have a wind farm, and 11% of the Spanish population lives in municipalities with wind farms.
Wind energy is concentrated in five autonomous communities with 79% of the total: Castilla León (11%), Aragón (14.4%), Galicia (14%), Andalusia (13%) and Castilla-La Mancha (12%). In 2023, the autonomous communities that have installed the most wind energy are Aragón (307 MW, 50.1%), Castilla La Mancha (92 MW, 15%), Catalonia (60 MW, 9.8%) and Extremadura (50 MW, 8.1%)).
The provinces with the highest number of municipalities with wind farms are Lugo (51%), Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (47%) and La Coruña (46%). The provinces in which the largest number of inhabitants are located in a municipality with a wind population are Albacete (82%) and Zaragoza (81%), followed by Valladolid (63%), Palencia (61%) and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (50% ).
If we analyze the number of provinces, it can be concluded that lWind farms are usually located in municipalities where the population is smaller (Empty Spain), which contributes to the settlement of the population as they generate economic activity and employment.
In 2023, 5 of the 17 autonomous communities accounted for 69% of the GDP contribution of the wind sector in Spain. These communities are Castile y León (16.9%), Galicia (15.7%), Aragón (14.5%), Andalusia (11.2%) and Castilla La Mancha (10.6%).