Spain's renewables hit 50.7% share in May as solar PV breaks record

Panoramic view of La Vega I and La Vega II. Image source: Endesa (www.endesa.com)

Renewables produced 50.7% of Spain’s electricity in May, generating 10% more “green gigawatt-hours” compared to the same period a year ago, according to the latest estimates released Wednesday by Spanish grid operator Red Electrica de Espana (REE).

The renewables share in Spain’s power production mix in April was 46.2%, after dropping for two months in a row.

In May, wind power generation hit 4,794 GWh, up 20.9% on the year. With a 23.4% share in the mix, wind farms were Spain’s leading power producers over the month, followed by nuclear and combined cycle power plants.

REE also highlighted the record output achieved by solar PV plants, which produced 2,331 GWh in May, a monthly volume unseen since the national records began in 2007.

On May 29, solar PV reached a daily share of 14.7% on 89 GWh, REE added.

The composition of Spain’s power mix in May is summarised in the table below:

Technology:	Share in May:	Estimated production in May (in GWh):	Y/Y change:	January-May combined share:
Wind	23.4%	4,794	20.9%	25.9%
Hydro	10.3%	2,108	-26.3%	15.9%
Solar PV	11.4%	2,331	42.4%	6.9%
Solar CSP	3.4%	693	25.4%	1.4%
Other renewables	1.9%	395	1.9%	1.8%
Nuclear	21.4%	4,386	42.5%	21.3%
Cogeneration	10.9%	2,236	7.1%	10.1%
Combined cycle	12%	2,459	0.8%	11.4%
Coal	1.6%	337	38.7%	1.5%

Spain’s gross demand for electricity was estimated at 20,338 GWh, up by 11.1% compared to May 2020, which the country spent under the COVID-19 lockdown. Compared to May 2019, the national demand was lower by 3%.

Demand trends for Spain’s three electricity systems separately are given in the table below:

Territory:	Estimated demand in May 2021	vs May 2020	vs May 2019
Mainland Spain	19,276 GWh	+11%	-2.4%
Balearic Islands	379,639 MWh	+16%	-19.6%
Canary Islands	649,636 MWh	+11.8%	-10.2%