An update of Spanish renewable energy policy and achievements in a low carbon context

Following environmental and economic motivations, most countries in the world are confronting the challenge of reducing both their dependence on fossil fuels and their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The promotion of renewable energy sources (RES) contributes to these two goals while simultaneously bringing economic opportunities in less industrialized areas and positioning national companies in a rapidly expanding sector. These benefits have been acknowledged by successive Spanish governments over the past decade, leading to the implementation of a stable regulatory framework that has been effective in encouraging the deployment of some renewable energy technologies (particularly wind and solar), but not others (biomass). The aim of this paper is to give an update of the current situation regarding the use of RES in Spain, provide a description of the existing regulatory framework, and discuss its actual effectiveness in reducing GHG emissions. Some discussion is also provided about the incidence of other socioeconomic cobenefits, the evolution in time of support schemes, and the changes envisaged for the following years. The paper also provides a snapshot of the Spanish renewable sector, with up-to-date information about some of the most representative projects and organizations. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3301904]