Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the European Union accelerated its plans to increase renewable energy capacity, resulting in wind and solar power making up 30% of electricity supply by 2025. This shift displaced coal and gas power, with gas generation falling by 15% and coal by 38%. The rapid deployment of wind and solar power saved the EU €72bn in fossil fuel imports between 2022 and 2025, with the largest savings coming from Germany, Spain, and Italy. This shift highlights the importance of transitioning to renewable energy sources to reduce dependence on foreign nations and mitigate climate change.
Tag: Spain
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Spain has the tools to lead in floating wind – now it must seize its chance
Spain has the potential to lead in floating offshore wind energy, providing energy security, industrial independence, and economic and social benefits to local communities. To maximize these benefits, the government must act swiftly on the upcoming auction round. Juan de Dios López Leiva of the Spanish Wind Energy Association stresses the importance of seizing this opportunity for Spain to become a leader in floating wind technology.
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Low-cost open-access tool for rooftop PV assessment in informal settlements
Researchers have developed a low-cost methodology using UAV photogrammetry and GIS analysis to assess rooftop PV potential in informal settlements, demonstrated in two communities in Brazil with favorable solar capture conditions. The process involves flight planning, image processing, rooftop analysis, and module allocation using an open-access Python tool. Results showed that approximately 577 modules could be installed, providing 61% of the average monthly electricity demand for each household, validated against detailed simulations with consistent results. The article also discusses a decision-support tool for assessing rooftop PV potential in informal settlements, comparing simplified irradiance-based models with dynamic simulation approaches developed by researchers from the University of Jaén in Spain and the Federal University of Bahia in Brazil.
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Pilot tests show vertical PV system with specular reflectors delivers 51% higher yield
Spanish startup FutureVoltaics has launched VectHor, a photovoltaic solution designed to increase irradiance capture and shift solar generation towards periods with higher electricity market value. The largest pilot plant in Lemoiz, Spain, using VectHor technology achieved a 51.4% higher specific yield compared to conventional installations, resulting in a 73.6% higher economic return. FutureVoltaics is collaborating with CABB to commercialize VectHor and plans to implement more installations in the future. The pilot project validates the durability and performance of the VectHor5 platform under challenging environmental conditions, contributing to improvements in installation and maintenance practices. The next iteration of the product will include improved reflector materials to further increase energy production and economic value of electricity generated.
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Study finds heatwaves cause hourly losses of up to 90% in PV plants in Iberian peninsula
Scientists analyzed the performance of three photovoltaic plants in Spain and Portugal during extreme heat events in 2024 and 2025, finding that heatwaves can cause significant yield losses in PV energy production. High temperatures affect module efficiency and trigger thermal derating in inverters, with yield losses concentrated during the hottest hours of the day. The study compared production data with meteorological information, confirming the dataset's suitability and highlighting the need to consider actual weather inputs during extreme heat events for accurate PV generation predictions. The European solar sector is now focused on improving the resilience of PV installations against production losses during periods of extreme heat, moving away from solely maximizing annual generation.
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Solar Energy Saves Europeans $135 Million A Day
Europe has seen significant savings in electricity costs due to the installation of solar power, avoiding billions in fossil fuel import costs. By deploying more solar, scaling storage, and accelerating electrification, Europe can reduce the role of gas in setting electricity prices and build a more secure and affordable energy system. Spain has doubled its wind and solar capacity, reducing the influence of expensive fossil generators on electricity prices. The focus on green technology in Europe has shown the benefits of renewable energy in reducing costs and increasing energy independence. Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind are setting new records for energy production in countries like Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, and the UK, proving to be cheaper and faster to install compared to fossil fuels. Global energy investment is shifting towards clean energy, with more money going into renewables, nuclear, grids, storage, efficiency, and electrification, further accelerated by political decisions and global events, making them the dominant energy sources of the future.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/06/08/solar-energy-saves-europeans-135-million-a-day/
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Spain, France set benchmark in renewables expansion without biodiversity loss
Swiss researchers conducted a comparative analysis of national policies in France, Italy, and Spain on integrating biodiversity into renewable energy planning and ecological impact monitoring under the European Green Deal framework. France and Spain have more advanced frameworks, with Spain prioritizing renewable energy projects in low environmental value areas and France leading in national coordination with specialized observatories. Italy remains regionally fragmented with gaps in cumulative impact assessment, depending on regional authorities for environmental integration of renewable energy. The study highlights the challenges and progress in aligning energy, environmental, and spatial planning policies for successful renewable deployment, emphasizing the need for assessing indirect, cumulative, and long-term effects on habitats and species.
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Renewables growth cut Spain’s electricity bills by 24.2% over the past two years
A new report from Positive Money reveals that Spain and Portugal have significantly reduced their exposure to gas price volatility by 53% in the past three years, thanks to the expansion of renewable energy. The study underscores how renewable energy is reshaping electricity prices in Europe, decreasing reliance on gas and mitigating vulnerability to volatile energy markets. The report also highlights the European Union's continued dependence on imported fossil fuels, leaving it susceptible to price shocks and geopolitical instability. Additionally, the report emphasizes the economic incentives for energy storage investments driven by low midday prices and higher evening peak prices, signaling the growing importance of energy storage technologies in the transition to a more sustainable and reliable energy system amidst shifting market dynamics.
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Entso-E report finds systemic failures behind 2025 Iberian blackout
Entso-E's final root cause report on the April 28, 2025 blackout in Spain and Portugal identified systemic failures in voltage control, reactive power management, and regulatory frameworks, with manual disconnections and lack of real-time monitoring contributing to the blackout. The investigation was hindered by incomplete data, particularly from generators below 1 MW. Entso-E issued 22 recommendations to strengthen European grid resilience, focusing on voltage control, oscillatory stability, disconnection behavior, and defense and restoration, including improving reactive power resources, real-time visibility, and harmonizing operating voltage ranges. The article also discusses recommendations for improving small-scale generation, defense, and restoration in the context of climate-related incidents, suggesting adaptive load shedding schemes, better coordination among operators, and standardized data collection frameworks for future investigations.
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The Epstein War Breathes New Life Into Green Hydrogen Industry
US President Trump's war on Iran has caused fossil energy costs to rise, impacting natural gas markets in Europe and the US, leading to a renewed focus on green hydrogen projects. In Andalusia, Spain, a joint venture between H2Pro and Doral Hydrogen is moving forward with plans for a 50-megawatt off-grid green hydrogen project. This project aims to produce hydrogen entirely from off-grid solar power for blending into the existing natural gas pipeline and connecting with the forthcoming H2Med hydrogen pipeline for export. The Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program in the US, aimed at kickstarting the green hydrogen supply chain, is facing challenges due to funding withdrawal under the Trump administration, impacting farmers who could benefit from sustainable fertilizer produced with green hydrogen.