Technology

At the beginning of January, Red Electrica de España (Spain’s grid operator) published details of the electricity system during 2011. It was a year which saw contracting demand, which fell 1.2%, 33% of which was covered by renewable energy. With regard to clean energy sources, two facts stand out: a record high for wind output in November and the growth in solar generation.

In 2010, 94.5% of the electricity consumed in Galicia came from renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, biomass, and water. This finding was published as part of a study by the Galician Energy Institute (Instituto Enerxético de Galicia, Inega), operating under the auspices of the Galician regional government's Ministry of Economy and Industry.

The Rioja Alta Golf Club, located in Cirueña (La Rioja) has become the first golf course in Spain to boast wind and solar power. The installation, constructed by the Rioja-based Kliux Energies, consists of a 4-kWh vertical-axis wind turbine and 3.3-kW photovoltaic panels, which will supply enough power to meet much of the club's energy needs.

The Energy Technology Institute (ITE) has signed a collaboration agreement with the Moroccan Solar and Wind Industries Association (AMISOLE) to promote cooperation between Moroccan and Spanish companies working in the renewable energy field.

During its last two cabinet meetings, Zapatero's government approved Spain’s Renewable Energies Plan for the period 2011 to 2020 and a Royal Decree regulating the administrative and technical conditions for grid connecting small renewable energy and cogeneration facilities – key legislation paving the way for self-consumption.

The Seville-based multinational recently announced that FRC, which it describes as "one of the largest private investment funds in the energy sector" will invest €300 million "in Abengoa's Class B shares". The Spanish company says the entry of First Reserve Corporation as a shareholder represents "a deal that endorses the company's plans and management".

According to the APREAN Observatory, Andalusia closed the first half of this year with 4,376 megawatts of renewable power capacity, after adding a further 131 MW during the period. This represents a growth rate of 3.1 percent during the first six months of 2011.

The company KIC InnoEnergy Iberia has been formally incorporated to lead the activities in Spain and Portugal of KIC InnoEnergy: a European company that aims to become a driver of sustainable energy innovation.

Save energy, save money and avoid carbon dioxide emissions. These are the three key goals of the Energy Saving Plan designed to save €78,687 million on fossil fuel imports and emissions over this decade.

The Designated National Authority (DNA) has approved eleven new projects that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than two million tonnes per annum. The projects consist of four forestry projects, four wind farms, a biogas project, an urban transport efficiency project, and an energy efficiency project.