Spain committed to reducing gas consumption as part of its European Union goal to cut usage by 7 percent by the end of winter. The move aims to lessen Europe’s reliance on Russian hydrocarbons and shield the region from potential disruptions from Moscow. The government has already rolled out a first package of measures, from closing shop windows at 10 p.m. to thermostat limits, and is preparing a broader plan to present to Brussels this month to verify whether promises are being fulfilled. The 7 percent savings target remains a central objective for Brussels.
Amid the push to curb consumption, gas-fired plants are increasingly used to generate electricity. This shift comes as hydroelectric output declines due to drought and other renewables contribute less, while the country supplies more electricity to neighboring France, which relies on gas-fired generation as its nuclear fleet faces maintenance or shutdowns.
The heightened demand from the French market has boosted combined-cycle plants that burn gas to produce power. The government notes that this extra gas use is to support France in a crisis scenario. The 7 percent savings target could be counted against the European Union footprint, but the European Commission has not yet clarified how this exemption would work in practice.
Currently, the savings targets for member states are optional. If measures fail to reduce the risk of supply disruption, the Commission can declare an electricity alert and make the targets mandatory for member states. Some argue that exemptions could be allowed under the Council Regulation, potentially allowing France to exclude some energy use from its consumption tally. This interpretation is debated by policymakers.
The Ministry for Ecological Transition, led by Teresa Ribera, believes that EU Regulation supports these exemptions and that gas used for electricity exports to France could be excluded from Spain’s committed consumption, even as demand climbs toward record levels.
Clause 5.8 of the Regulation states that a member state facing an electricity crisis may temporarily limit demand reduction if doing so is necessary to avoid a serious drop in supply and there are no viable economic alternatives to replace the gas needed for electricity.
The gas consumed by Spanish plants to boost electricity exports to France, affected by France’s nuclear problems, could benefit from this exemption, according to insights from technicians and officials in the Ministry of Ecological Transition.
Spain’s position remains that Brussels has not yet clarified how these exceptions would be applied or whether Spain can reduce energy sent to France while still achieving its savings goal.
Official EU statements have noted that Article 5 is not yet in force. A major European newspaper group reports that the Commission cannot speculate on hypothetical behavior and will review the clause if a warning is issued and if applicable. This matter remains under review by the Community Executive.
Joan Groizard, executive director of the Institute for Energy Diversification and Conservation, explains that it would be unwise for Spanish citizens, companies, and the government to sacrifice the 7 percent savings while also facing energy shortages on the other side of the border. He notes that Spain must meet the target, but not at the expense of its own energy security. He argues against reducing interconnections with France to reach the target, suggesting it would be irrational to cut exports or critical interconnections simply to meet a quota.
In August, Spanish combined-cycle plants doubled production, accounting for about a third of total electricity generation in the country. Through the year so far, gas-fired plants have expanded by roughly 90 percent and now provide about 24 percent of electricity. These increases come as gas prices remain high amid uncertainty about Russian supply,