Spain posts record electricity exports amid regional supply strains
Spain significantly boosted its electricity exports to neighboring countries this year, surpassing all previous records during a period of energy tension. The country’s power system is awaiting December data but has already exceeded the highest levels in Red Eléctrica de España REE’s three-decade historical series that began in the early 1990s in terms of overseas shipments.
From January through November, Spain exported a total of 25,427 gigawatt hours of electricity to connected markets including France, Portugal, Morocco and Andorra. Even without December data, this figure signals a yearly pace well above the 2012 peak. The exports reached 18,985 GWh, indicating a substantial lead over prior records and suggesting the year could close with even stronger totals.
The new record arises in part from interruptions in guaranteeing supply in the French and Portuguese markets. In France, many nuclear units were shut for maintenance, while in Portugal drought and hydropower limitations reduced generation. This situation compelled Spain to raise production to meet regional demand amid the ongoing energy price surge.
Imports of electricity into Spain declined in December, and they may mark a decade-low. Between January and November this year, Spain bought 6,742 GWh from abroad, the lowest level since 2010, according to REE, the national system operator responsible for high voltage transmission networks.
With rising exports and falling imports, Spain’s net foreign trade balance turned negative for the first time in years, aligning with the strongest export performance in the series since 2015. The export balance stood at 18,684 GWh for the year so far, eclipsing the previous peak around 11,200 GWh recorded in 2012.
Throughout the year Spain achieved persistent record highs for exports across multiple months. The external electricity sales peak of 3,056 GWh to neighboring countries occurred in September, surpassing August’s previous maximum. During that month, Spain’s imports from neighbors were only 179 GWh, a remarkably low level compared with earlier months. As a result, the export balance also hit a new high of 2,877 GWh, surpassing the previous monthly record.
Connection with France extending to the border
Historically, Spain acted as a net importer of electricity from France. The energy crisis shifted the direction of cross-border flows as France faced the need to buy electricity from its interconnected neighbors due to a large portion of its nuclear fleet undergoing maintenance and aging concerns. This year saw France relying on imports from multiple partners to meet demand as its own generation capabilities faced constraints.
For the first time since 2010, Spain is expected to register a higher level of electricity sales to France than purchases from that country. The January to November period shows exports to France approaching 11,600 GWh, while the net balance for Spain stands at about 7,368 GWh. This marks a striking shift in the historical pattern, with Spain achieving export dominance in a market once characterized by steady imports.
REE data indicate that the Pyrenees interconnections operated near maximum capacity for much of the year. In July, the links to the French market ran at full capacity for all hours of the month. August recorded 99.3 percent of hours at full capacity, and September registered 98.9 percent. These sustained limits reflect the tight supply conditions across the region and Spain’s role as a key supplier in the cross-border system.