Teresa Ribera, serving as the Third Vice President and Minister for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge, announced a new phase of engagement with the energy sector. The government will initiate a broad consultation process with all stakeholders to chart a path toward a steady, predictable expansion of renewable energy. This collaborative approach aims to ensure that regional benefits are clear and fairly distributed across communities that contribute to the shift toward cleaner power.
The plan envisions boosting renewable generation targets to 81% by 2030, aligned with the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (Pniec). Officials hope for formal approval in the coming months, signaling a significant acceleration in the country’s clean-energy trajectory (Source: Government briefing materials).
Ribera’s remarks in Congress outlined the overarching framework for this legislative session. She emphasized that advancing renewable energy requires an orderly and equitable strategy that keeps regional interests at the forefront and guarantees that the benefits of green generation are widely shared (Official parliamentary statement).
In her view, a measured, transparent process will help reconcile the diverse objectives of industry participants, local governments, and energy consumers. The plan calls for careful zoning and predictable pathways to access benefits, paired with investments in grid integration and the operational capacity needed to manage higher penetrations of wind, solar, and other renewables. These steps are designed to smooth the transition while maintaining reliability and affordability for households and businesses (Policy briefing).
Looking back at 2023, Ribera highlighted a milestone: renewables accounted for half of electricity production. She cautioned that this is just a beginning, predicting that the share of clean energy would rise steadily in the years ahead as technology matures and market structures adapt. The energy mix has seen wind power emerge as a dominant force, with coal continuing to recede to historical lows, while photovoltaics edge closer to parity with conventional generation methods in the mix (Energy market analysis).
Ribera asserted that Spain stands strong in Europe for wind energy and ranks among the top nations worldwide for renewable capacity. She attributed this strength to a well-defined regulatory framework, favorable geographical conditions, robust infrastructure, and a skilled workforce that supports both the development and operation of renewable projects. These factors collectively underpin the country’s ambitious energy transition (Regulatory and institutional overview).
She also noted that recent years have seen electricity prices in the market reach historic lows relative to many neighboring countries, with only the Nordic region occasionally surpassing Spain on price competitiveness. This price environment is a key consideration as policymakers plan for increased renewables while safeguarding consumer affordability and market stability (Market trend report).
The ministry’s agenda extends beyond onshore generation. Ribera highlighted efforts to unlock offshore wind potential through a marine spatial planning framework that identifies suitable zones for development. The goal is to provide certainty for investments in offshore wind and to equip regulators and industry with the tools necessary to support this emerging technology while ensuring environmental and economic safeguards are in place (Maritime planning update).
Beyond generation, the government aims to reinforce the National Energy Commission (CNE) as an essential pillar of the energy transition. Strengthening this institution is seen as vital to guiding consumers who need reliable, affordable energy at home or on the move. Ribera described the CNE as a proven instrument in transforming Spain’s production model and harnessing its vast potential to support a low-carbon economy, especially as climate considerations become a central factor in policy design (Energy governance commentary).