Page 53 - European Energy Innovation - Summer 2014
P. 53
Summer 2014 European Energy Innovation 53
SPAIN
The drop in demand for electricity José Miguel Villarig
caused by the crisis meant that
traditional electricity companies
could not integrate all the
generation from their combined
cycle gas plants into the electricity
system. These were developed
as free business ventures over the
last decade until they reached
more than 27,000 MW, much
of which was unnecessary, and
received a grant for 40% of the
investment.
Taking the standpoints of the
traditional energy lobbies as its
own, the Government debuted
with a first Decree Law, in January
2012, which brought with it a
moratorium on renewables. Since
then, all of the energy legislation
that has been passed has been
the fruit of constant improvisation
and has had renewables as the
chief victims of its electricity
reform.
In spite of this, any analysis
looking to the future,
environmentally and
economically, backs renewable
energies regardless of the
obstacles that are put in their
way. This is the view of the
European Parliament, which has
approved an objective for 30%
of member states’ consumption
to be from renewables by 2030.
The Spanish government has,
once again, demonstrated its lack
of commitment by supporting
the less ambitious proposal from
the Commission and that the
commitment be global and not
specifically by country. However,
one thing is clear. The renewable
energy sector will have to play
a fundamental role in Spain
complying with its environmental
commitments and in the fight
against climate change. l
www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu
SPAIN
The drop in demand for electricity José Miguel Villarig
caused by the crisis meant that
traditional electricity companies
could not integrate all the
generation from their combined
cycle gas plants into the electricity
system. These were developed
as free business ventures over the
last decade until they reached
more than 27,000 MW, much
of which was unnecessary, and
received a grant for 40% of the
investment.
Taking the standpoints of the
traditional energy lobbies as its
own, the Government debuted
with a first Decree Law, in January
2012, which brought with it a
moratorium on renewables. Since
then, all of the energy legislation
that has been passed has been
the fruit of constant improvisation
and has had renewables as the
chief victims of its electricity
reform.
In spite of this, any analysis
looking to the future,
environmentally and
economically, backs renewable
energies regardless of the
obstacles that are put in their
way. This is the view of the
European Parliament, which has
approved an objective for 30%
of member states’ consumption
to be from renewables by 2030.
The Spanish government has,
once again, demonstrated its lack
of commitment by supporting
the less ambitious proposal from
the Commission and that the
commitment be global and not
specifically by country. However,
one thing is clear. The renewable
energy sector will have to play
a fundamental role in Spain
complying with its environmental
commitments and in the fight
against climate change. l
www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu
