Spain’s renewable energy sector is thriving, generating over half of the country’s electricity in 2023.
Wind power leads the way, accounting for nearly a quarter of electricity production. With roughly 30 gigawatts (GW) of installed capacity, Spain ranks as a top European wind energy producer, second only to Germany.
Bottlenecks Hinder Wind Farm Development
However, the U.S.-based Global Energy Monitor (GEM) warns that Spain must accelerate its wind energy expansion to meet its ambitious 2030 target.
Local opposition and licensing bottlenecks are slowing the deployment of new wind farms. While a pipeline of 40 GW in projects exists, the pace of development is concerning.
To reach the 62 GW goal, Spain needs a nearly fivefold increase in annual capacity additions compared to the 2019-2023 average.
GEM Researcher: “Spain Isn’t Likely to Meet the 2030 Target for Wind”
GEM researcher Gregor Clark, author of the report, expresses concern about Spain’s current trajectory. Addressing bottlenecks and rapidly deploying offshore wind parks are crucial for achieving the target.
Last year, Spain only added 600 MW of capacity, a significant drop from the previous year’s 1.7 GW. The Spanish wind lobby, AEE, echoes the call for accelerated development.
Despite the challenges in wind energy, Spain is poised to solidify its European leadership in utility-scale solar projects. The country’s 7.8 GW of solar projects under construction exceed the combined capacity of the next three European countries, according to the GEM report.
Key Takeaways
- Spain’s renewable energy sector is booming, with wind energy playing a major role.
- Local opposition and licensing issues are hindering wind farm development.
- To meet the 2030 target, Spain needs a significant increase in the pace of wind energy expansion.
- Offshore wind and addressing regulatory bottlenecks are key to achieving the goal.
- Spain’s solar energy sector is also experiencing strong growth.