Historic June for Renewable Energy in Spain

The demand for electricity in Spain increased by 0.9% in June 2024 compared to the same month the previous year, after adjusting for temperature and work activity effects. This increase in demand, along with notable growth in renewable energy generation, marks a significant milestone in the country's energy transition, highlighting the ongoing transformation of Spain's energy mix.

For the second consecutive month, according to data from REE, solar photovoltaic energy has led the national generation mix, contributing 22.2% of the total. In June 2024, the production of this technology reached 4,791 GWh, representing a 23.8% increase compared to June 2023. This growth not only strengthens the position of solar energy in the Spanish energy landscape but also underscores the country's commitment to decarbonisation and the reduction of CO2 emissions.

It is noteworthy that on 21 June 2024, a historic record for daily solar photovoltaic energy production was set with 201 GWh, achieving a share of 26.8% of the total electricity generation for that day.

In the first half of the year, national electricity demand amounted to 120,892 GWh, an increase of 0.7% compared to the same period last year. Renewable energy production in June was 12,665 GWh, 29% more than in June 2023, reaching a 58.7% share of total electricity generation for the month.

Wind energy occupied the second place in the generation mix with 20.5% of the total, closely followed by nuclear energy with 20.1% and hydroelectric with 11.6%. The contribution of CO2-free technologies stood at an impressive 80.3%.

In mainland Spain, electricity demand increased by 1% in June 2024, reaching 18,252 GWh. Renewables on the mainland generated 60.7% of the total energy, with a production of 12,424 GWh, representing a 28.5% increase from the previous year. Emission-free technologies contributed 83.6% of the total mainland electricity generation.

In the Balearic Islands, electricity demand decreased by 0.2% compared to June 2023, standing at 535,998 MWh. Renewable energy in the Balearic Islands represented 18.2% of total generation in June, with a notable increase of 33.9% from the previous year. The submarine link between the mainland and Mallorca provided 27.2% of the Balearic Islands' electricity demand.

In the Canary Islands, electricity demand also decreased by 0.4% compared to June 2023, reaching 704,176 MWh. Renewable energy generation in the Canary Islands increased by 75.5% from June last year, contributing 24.2% of total electricity generation.

Globally, remember that electricity generation from renewable sources exceeded 30% for the first time in 2023, driven by growth in solar and wind energy capacity. This global achievement marks a turning point in the transition towards a greener and more sustainable economy. The European Union, with a renewable generation of 44%, stands out in this context, with solar and wind technologies representing 27% of the continent's total electricity generation.

China leads global solar energy production, followed by the United States and India. In Europe, Germany and Spain are among the top producers of solar energy, significantly contributing to the advancement of renewable generation.