Spain, already the world’s third largest producer of wind energy, could raise its production target as a way of reducing its dependence on oil imports and containing emissions tied to global warming, according to the government’s renewable energy chief.
Spain is capable of installing enough wind turbines to generate 20,000 megawatts by 2011, against a current forecast of 13,000 MW by that date, said renewable energy chief Javier Garcia Breva.
“It’s possible. It’s an aim that can be reached simply by improving technology and the regulation of the wind parks,” Garcia Breva told Reuters.
His estimate would mean that in seven years, 40 percent of the megawatts generated in Spain would come from wind versus 10 percent at present.
Existing wind parks can be upgraded with more modern, efficient turbines, Garcia Breva said.
New government reviews plans
The former, center-right government set targets for the development of renewable energy in Spain that also include biomass and solar power. The new government is reviewing those targets, and the Industry Ministry is expected to publish a plan later this year.
As an incentive for renewable energy, Spain allows producers to charge a premium to generation prices.
Garcia Breva said the Socialist government, which took power in April, would maintain the system with some modifications. “We’re not going to change it in a big way but I think it needs improvement,” he said.
Garcia Breva said premiums could be raised for less developed renewable energy sources like biomass -- vegetation or animal matter used for electricity generation.
“The idea is to help bring all these technologies to a point where they can start making profits,” he said.
The official target for biomass is 3,200 MW by 2011. At the end of 2003 production was just 361 MW.
80 percent of energy imported
Spain’s interest in renewable energy is linked to its dependence on energy imports, which make up almost 80 percent of consumption.
The country’s robust economic growth has increased power demand, pushing carbon dioxide emissions further above Spain’s compromise under the Kyoto Protocol to increase emissions by no more than 15 percent compared with 1990 levels. Carbon dioxide is a key gas that many scientists fear is contributing to global warming.
Emissions are now 40 percent above 1990 levels.
“The great contribution of renewable energy is the saving of power from conventional sources and the diversification of Spain’s energy basket. This is even more important for us as we are an island when it comes to energy,” Garcia Breva said.
