Wind Power in Spain

Wind Power In Spain

Spain is the world's fourth biggest producer of wind power, with a year-end installed capacity of 21.6 GW and a share of total electricity consumption of 15.9% in 2011.

In 2009, for the first time in the annual calculation, wind overtook coal that produced 33,844 GWh. In 2010, 43,692 GWh of wind electricity was produced in Spain, with an end of year installed capacity of over 20 GW, representing 20% of capacity, and 16% of production. Wind was the third biggest energy source in the country, only overtaken by thermal gas combined cycle at 68,828 GWh and nuclear, that reached 61,944 GWh. In 2010, wind energy has covered 16% of the demand, compared to 11.5% in 2008 and 13.8% in 2009.

In 2009, the largest producer of wind power in Spain was Iberdrola, with 25.5% of capacity, followed by Acciona with 20.9% and NEO Energia (EDP Renewables) with 8.3%. On windy days, wind power generation has surpassed all other electricity sources in Spain; in November 2009, a wind storm caused wind farms to produce a peak of 53% of total electricity demand (11.546 GW). Power peaks of 14.960 GW were reached in November 2010, and in November 2011 a new capacity peak of 59% of power demand being generated by wind power was reached.