Assessment of renewable energy integration and future development of Spain’s electrical system in alignment with EU policy

Abstract The research provides a comprehensive overview of the Spanish energy landscape in 2023, emphasizing the achievements and challenges in transitioning to a more sustainable electricity system in line with EU policies. The analysis utilized data from official institutions such as Red Eléctrica de España, Eurostat, and ENTSO-E (European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity). These data were processed using international methodologies, including those of the International Energy Agency (IEA), ensuring comparable and reliable results. The findings reveal that Spain made historic progress in integrating renewable energy. In 2023, the installed capacity of renewable technologies increased by 8.8%, driven primarily by significant growth in solar photovoltaic (5,594 MW) and wind (661 MW). This expansion resulted in renewables comprising 61.3% of the national generation fleet and contributing 50.3% to total electricity generation. Additionally, CO2 emissions from the electricity sector dropped to historically low levels. Between 2010 and 2020, CO2 emissions from the electricity sector in the European Union decreased by 29%. Spain has emerged as a European leader in renewable installed capacity, particularly in wind and solar. However, it faces key challenges to solidify its position, including the need to enhance energy storage, electricity interconnections, and advanced technologies such as smart grids. The study also highlights the importance of diversifying renewable sources, such as biomass and geothermal, to ensure a more balanced and efficient energy mix.