Spain boosts renewables share to 57.4% in Jan

A wind farm in the Monegros portfolio. Image courtesy of PEAK Wind.

Spain’s renewables generated 13,742 GWh of electricity in January, up by 40.9% year-on-year, according to the latest preliminary figures released by Spanish grid operator Red Electrica de Espana (REE).

It was the highest level of monthly electricity production for renewables since records began, REE said.

The renewables share in the January power mix was 57.4%, mainly thanks to push from wind farms. Constant and moderate winds enabled wind farms to increase production by 39.2% year-on-year to 7,537 GWh in January. Solar PV output rose by 6.3%, while hydroelectric plants, dried up for months last year, boosted production by 93.8% compared to January 2022, REE said.

Production details for major technologies in Spain are presented in the table:

Technology:	Share in January 2023:	Estimated production (in GWh):	y/y change:
Wind	31.5%	7,537	39.2%
Hydro	16.9%	4,042	93.8%
Solar PV	7%	1,668	6.3%
Solar CSP	0.5%	121	-29.0%
Other renewables	1.3%	303	-29.3%
Nuclear	21.2%	5,084	0.7%
Cogeneration	5.1%	1,223	-43.1%
Combined-cycle	11.2%	2,686	-54.5%
Coal	1.3%	319	-55.1%

Demand for electricity across Spain’s territory fell by 3% on the year to an estimated 22,052 GWh. Adjusted for temperatures and labour patterns, demand dropped by, national demand dropped by 4.1% compared to January last year.

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