rise renewable energies this year Historical lows in greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), 271.6 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (MtCO2-eq), 7.5% less than last year, when 283.8 MtCO2-eq was recorded. This is a “positive result“in the future Decarbonizing the Spanish economy and combating climate changeAccording to a study by the Basque Center for Climate Change (BC3) and the Observatory for Energy Transition and Climate Action (OTEA).
“Moreover, this decline occurs in a year when gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to rise above 2 percent. Emissions continue to “fall sharply”It includes the conclusion section of the study titled ‘Improved greenhouse gas emissions in Spain 2023’.
At the end of this year, greenhouse gas emissions in Spain will reach the lowest level in the historical series that started in 1990, even below 2020, when they decreased by 12% due to mobility and mobility. the Pandemic. They also took part below 1990 levels for the first time, 5.6% less.
Despite this, Spain has the following target in its National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC): Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 23% by 2030 Compared to 1990 With the update of the plan prepared this year, this target is aimed to be further increased to 32 percent. The study by BC3 and OTEA states that “There is therefore still a long way to go in the next 7 years” and that “more sustainable emission reduction rates over time” will be needed.
Decrease in exports
The sector that contributed the most to the reduction in emissions this year was the electricity sector. “After 2022, when emissions from the electricity sector increased due to increased exports and greater use of combined cycles due to the effects of drought, emissions this year have returned to 2021 levels,” the text said. The statement is included.
This has made it possible to reduce the use of natural gas, coal and other fossil fuels. growth of renewable energy already notable decline in net exports. Similarly, rain also allowed hydraulic production to recover.
Wind generation also increased slightly this year, but The biggest driver of renewable generation has been the growth of solar photovoltaics. So much so that everything indicates that renewable energy will be 50.8% in electricity production this year. The historical maximum level in renewable production will be brokenIt exceeded 135,000 gigawatt-hours (GWh).
The distribution between different energies this year will be as follows: wind It will hold the leadership with a share of approximately 24% and a record close to 63,700 GWh. nuclear It will constitute 20 percent of production.
HE combined cycle It will rank third in the rankings with 17%. photovoltaic It will rank fourth with 14 percent, and its production will exceed 37,000 GWh, an increase of almost 34 percent compared to 2022.
Will rank fifth hydraulic9.5% of the mix will reach 25,500 GWh; This figure is above that recorded in 2022, a particularly dry year, resulting in the lowest hydraulic production since records began.
“Less optimistic” for 2024
The results of the report show that energy crisis Starting at the beginning of 2022 and reflecting on the sector increase in energy pricesespecially natural gas, which “could explain the evolution of emissions from the final consumption of natural gas this year.”
In the first quarter of this year, industry, households and services continued the decrease in gas consumption that started last year. But since the summer trend changeIt states that the report was prepared by Luis Rey, Dirk-han Van de Ven, María Moyano, Manuel Tomás, Eva Alonso-Epelde and Mikel González-Eguino.
The text states: softening of natural gas prices This caused consumption to recover as the year progressed. “Despite final balance neutralThe increase in emissions in the second half of the year leads the authors of the study to admit that they are “less optimistic“For next year.
There’s another bad news and it’s coming again transportation sector. “Despite Emissions produced by oil derivatives would be reduced by approximately 5%“The transportation sector does not appear to have contributed to this decline,” the document stated.
Air transport data ‘particularly worrying’emphasizes work because Kerosene consumption increased by approximately 12%. “In a context of relatively high fuel prices and strong subsidies for public transport, the sector continues without reducing its emissions,” the authors warn.
Reference report: https://api.otea.info/storage/2023/12/21/bd73a72a16e4bd8f0d21090b1be325a557d4ca21.pdf
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