Renewable energy powered 54% of Spain during April

The stunning wind farms around Tarifa form a spectacular backdrop

Statistics from Red Electrica de Espana (REE) – Spain’s grid operator – have revealed that 54 per cent of the country’s power requirements were met by renewable energy for the month of April, breaking all previous records.

In March, renewable power accounted for 51.8 per cent of all energy production – itself a record at the time…

Much of Spain’s renewable energy sector revolves around wind power, and regular visitors to the town of Tarifa on the country’s southern tip cannot fail to have noticed the huge wind farms scattered across the hills taking advantage of the mighty winds that blow in from the Atlantic.

Wave power is a growing force, too, accounting for 25 per cent of that 56 per cent figure, while photovoltaics – solar power to you and I – met 3.6 per cent of Spain’s energy demand in April. While that figure may seem comparatively low, particularly for a country blessed with such brilliant sunlight, it actually represents real progress in the industry.

However, overall demand for electricity across Spain fell by 2.6 per cent in April compared to the same month last year. This drop can be attributed to the country’s shrinking population and its austerity measures, which are forcing some Spaniards to tighten their belts throughout the household.

Yet with such a promisingly robust and progressive renewable energy sector to fall back on, Spain can look ahead to a bright, and breezy, future.