The pattern in Spain’s electricity mix has shifted as strong winds push wind generation to the forefront. After six months where gas-fired plants led the way, wind power rose to become the dominant technology for generation in November. The country saw robust wind activity across the month, lifting wind farms to the top position in electricity production since last May.
Wind energy accounted for nearly one third of all electricity produced in Spain last month, reaching 31% of total output and surpassing 6,700 gigawatt hours (GWh). This assessment comes from Red Eléctrica de España, the operator of the national electricity system, which tracks national supply and demand patterns.
A combination of higher renewable output, lower gas production in recent weeks, and softer international gas prices helped push November’s average electricity price to the lowest level seen during the ongoing energy crisis since November 2021, coming in at about 124 euros per megawatt hour (MWh).
The wind surge is reshaping the ranking of generation technologies. Gas, which had held the top position uninterruptedly since June, saw its dominance decline as wind and other renewables increased their share. Electricity companies produced around 4,800 GWh in November, representing about 22% of total supply. Nuclear power plants contributed roughly 19.5% of output, generating just over 4,200 GWh and continuing to provide a stable backbone to the grid.
Wind power reached an all-time high for monthly electricity generation as winds swept across the country. On the evening of November 21, around 6:40 p.m., wind farms produced 20,594 MW, accounting for about 56% of the nation’s total production at that moment. This instantaneous record eclipsed the previous peak set on December 8 of the previous year, when 20,452 MW were recorded.
gas addict
Several factors typically observed in summer and autumn years converged to push the electrical system toward gas-fired power cycles to meet demand. This interplay highlights how the grid relies on a mix of fuels to balance supply and consumption during peak periods.
The drought reduced hydroelectric generation, which dampened hydro output compared with last year. Wind power, expected to contribute more, did not perform as strongly as forecast in the months leading up to November. Simultaneously, electricity exports to neighboring countries such as France and Portugal rose to historic highs, driven by France’s reduced nuclear capacity and drought impacts on hydropower in Portugal.
Gas plants have nearly doubled their output so far this year and are poised to finish as the leading generation technology. They could account for about a quarter of total energy produced, potentially overtaking nuclear and wind power, each contributing roughly 20% over the course of the year 2022.
The rising share of gas, alongside coal, has pushed total CO2 emissions for the year beyond the levels seen in 2021. Spain has thus stepped away from the emissions-reduction trend of the past four years. This shift reflects the long-term decline in coal, the expansion of renewable resources, and the electricity demand sustained at various times by lower economic activity during the pandemic period.