Developing wind and solar power in Spain

Spain has emerged as one of Europe’s leaders in renewable energy, thanks to its abundant natural resources, strong government policies, and ambitious targets. The country has made significant progress in transitioning away from fossil fuels, with renewable sources accounting for nearly 50% of total electricity generation in 2023. Wind and solar power are the two dominant sources, with hydropower and biomass playing smaller roles.

The Spanish government has been proactive in promoting renewable energy through policies such as the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC), which sets a target of achieving 81% renewable electricity generation by 2030. Additionally, Spain has positioned itself as a key player in Europe’s green hydrogen sector, aiming to capitalize on its vast solar and wind potential to produce and export clean hydrogen.

Wind energy is currently the largest contributor to Spain’s renewable mix, making up around 25% of total electricity generation. The country boasts over 30 gigawatts (GW) of installed wind capacity, ranking among the top wind energy producers in Europe. Offshore wind is still in its early stages, but the government has set ambitious targets to develop floating offshore wind farms in the coming years. Meanwhile, solar power has experienced rapid growth, particularly in utility-scale photovoltaic (PV) projects. The combination of falling costs and favourable regulations has made solar one of the most attractive investment opportunities in the country’s energy sector.

Looking ahead, Spain aims to become a fully renewable-powered nation by mid-century, with plans to integrate even more solar, wind, and storage capacity. The government has introduced policies to streamline permitting processes, improve grid infrastructure, and encourage the adoption of battery storage systems. However, challenges remain, particularly in balancing intermittent generation and ensuring sufficient grid connectivity between Spain and the rest of Europe. To address this, Spain is investing in cross-border electricity interconnections with France and Portugal. Additionally, the country is focusing on renewable hydrogen production, with plans to install 4 GW of electrolyser capacity by 2030. If these goals are met, Spain will continue to strengthen its position as one of Europe’s leading renewable energy markets and a major contributor to the continent’s decarbonization efforts.

As of 2023, Spain’s renewable energy capacity has seen significant growth, particularly in wind and solar power. The installed wind power capacity surpassed 30 gigawatts (GW), maintaining its position as the leading renewable energy source in the country. Wind energy contributes approximately 24% of Spain’s electricity consumption, underscoring its pivotal role in the national energy mix.

In the solar sector, Spain has experienced remarkable expansion. In 2023, the country added 7.7 GW of solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity, bringing the cumulative installed capacity to 37.6 GW. This growth has positioned Spain as a global leader in solar energy, reflecting its commitment to harnessing its abundant solar resources.

Looking ahead, Spain has set ambitious targets to further increase its renewable energy capacity. The government aims to double the installed wind energy capacity to 62 GW by 2030. However, achieving this goal will require accelerating the development of new wind projects, streamlining permitting processes, and enhancing support for the renewable energy sector.

Similarly, in the solar sector, Spain plans to reach 81 GW of installed capacity by 2030. To meet these objectives, the country will need to overcome challenges such as permitting bottlenecks and infrastructure limitations.

Reuniwatt has been active in Spain for more than a decade and is committed to accompany Spanish companies in the energy transition. Reuniwatt had already deployed sky cameras in Spain and is actively looking for collaboration with local actors on the energy market to improve intraday solar and wind forecasting as well as day-ahead solar and wind forecasting and boost assets’ performances. We are present in Europe and we are committed to expand our activities in the region.