Spain has truly excelled in achieving a remarkable milestone in its electricity mix by obtaining more than 80% of its electricity from low-carbon sources over the 12-month period from September 2024 to August 2025. This is a resounding testament to the country's commitment to utilizing clean energy. During this period, wind power contributed to a little over a fifth of the electricity, while nuclear energy, another formidable low-carbon source, accounted for close to a fifth. Solar energy, closely following, also supplied almost a fifth of the nation's electricity. Hydropower added another significant chunk, delivering close to a fifth. Together, these clean energy sources form the backbone of Spain's impressive green electricity portfolio. Conversely, fossil energy, including gas and biofuels, while providing roughly a fifth combined, underscores the necessity to continue reducing reliance on such sources to further decarbonize the grid. The forthcoming challenge for Spain is to extend electrification to other sectors like transport, heating, and industry, which will demand a more substantial electricity supply, highlighting the urgent need for ongoing growth in clean electricity generation.
Is Electricity Growing in Spain?
In light of Spain's electricity consumption data, there is a noticeable decline rather than growth, with the latest per capita electricity consumption recorded at 5,491 kWh, which is substantially lower than the previous record of 6,786 kWh per person in 2008, marking a decline of 1,295 kWh per person. This decline is concerning, especially given the necessity to increase electricity consumption in other sectors through electrification to achieve the country's climate goals. On the clean electricity spectrum, Spain also saw a slight decrease, with the recent per capita generation of 4,413 kWh falling short of the previous year's record by 67 kWh per person. This stagnation highlights a critical area where growth is necessary to ensure that Spain not only maintains its leadership in clean energy but also supports the energy needs of a growing, forward-looking economy.
Suggestions
To increase its share of low-carbon electricity generation, Spain should focus on expanding its nuclear and solar capacities, given their vital contributions to the current mix and their potential for significant growth. Nuclear power remains a steadfast and highly efficient source of low-carbon energy, free from the intermittency issues associated with some other clean sources. Expanding nuclear capacity could substantially increase the steady baseline supply of green electricity. Similarly, solar energy, having shown promising growth, represents a commendable area for rapid expansion due to Spain’s ample sunshine and the technology's declining costs coupled with increasing efficiency. Together, these technologies can play an instrumental role in boosting Spain's clean electricity production, ensuring that the country not only meets its own demand but also sets a benchmark for sustainable electricity generation worldwide.
History
Historically, Spain has witnessed various shifts in its low-carbon electricity generation landscape. In the 1980s, nuclear energy saw a substantial boost with a notable increase in generation in 1984. While hydroelectric power has witnessed frequent fluctuations in its contribution over the years, with significant dips in years like 1980, 1989, 2002, and periodic upturns such as in 1977, 1996, and 2010, these oscillations highlight the importance of diversifying Spain’s low-carbon portfolio. In the last few years, solar power has made a remarkable leap, particularly noted in 2023, when it increased significantly by nearly 13 TWh, a clear indication of its rising prominence. Recent gains in hydropower in 2025 further showcase its role in Spain's energy mix, even as nuclear and solar remain pivotal for constant, dependable growth in clean electricity.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.