Electricity in Spain in 2023/2024

Spain has made a significant achievement in its electricity generation, with more than 83% of its electricity currently coming from low-carbon sources over the past 12 months, from October 2023 to September 2024. This impressive figure includes contributions from wind power (approximately 24%), nuclear energy (around 20%), hydropower (almost 20%), and solar energy (close to 18%). On the other hand, fossil energy sources still account for about 17% of Spain’s electricity, with natural gas being the largest portion at more than 15%, followed by biofuels at 2%, and coal at just over 1%. The clear dominance of clean energy sources in Spain's electricity mix is a robust foundation for future electrification drives in other sectors such as transport, heating, and industry, which will require a substantial increase in electricity demand.

Suggestions

To further increase low-carbon electricity generation, Spain could focus on expanding its existing nuclear, wind, and solar capacities. Nuclear power, which already contributes a significant amount to the electricity mix, could be further developed to provide a stable and reliable base load of clean energy. Similarly, the expansion of wind and solar farms would capitalize on Spain’s favorable geographic conditions, adding more intermittent but renewable generation capacity. By investing in these established low-carbon technologies, Spain can not only meet the rising electricity demand but also continue to reduce its dependency on fossil fuels, thus mitigating the adverse impacts of climate change and air pollution.

History

Historically, Spain's journey towards low-carbon electricity has seen various fluctuations in different energy types. In the early 1980s, there was a notable dip in hydro generation in 1980 by 16.8 TWh, followed by significant gains in nuclear energy by 12.4 TWh in 1984. Over the decades, hydroelectric power experienced several declines and increases; for example, drops of 15.9 TWh in 1989 and 17.6 TWh in 2002, alongside rises of 16.3 TWh in 1996 and 17.6 TWh in 2003. More recently, from the 2010s to the present, the trend continued with substantial gains and losses in hydro generation. Notably, the recent boost in solar energy by 11.1 TWh in 2023 signifies Spain's ongoing commitment to expanding its clean energy portfolio. This history underscores the dynamic nature of Spain’s low-carbon electricity generation and the resilience in adopting sustainable energy practices.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Maximum Imports

Data Sources