MADRID – In July, solar energy reached an all-time high, overtaking wind energy. This has made it the main source of sustainable energy production in Spain.
With a monthly production of 4,507 GWh, an increase of 32.9% compared to the same period last year, solar energy has gained importance. Data from Red Eléctrica shows that renewable energy reached a total production of 11,001 GWh in July, an increase of 8.3% compared to July 2022. This amounts to an impressive 46.2% of total energy production. Moreover, the sunny month helped break previous solar energy records.
The sun is the country’s main source of sustainable energy
The contribution of solar photovoltaics to the total energy mix was 18.9%, making it the country’s leading source of renewable energy and third overall. In addition, a new daily record was set in July with a production of 161.5 GWh.
Wind energy remains the most important technology on an annual basis
In comparison, wind energy production in July was 3,930 GWh, which is 16.5% of the total. On an annual basis, however, wind energy remains the most important technology with 23% of the total. Hydropower saw a 28.8% increase in its production compared to last year, contributing 1,345 GWh, or 5.7% of the total.
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Outside of more sustainable sources, nuclear power and combined cycles were the dominant technologies over the past month. Nuclear power provided 21.5% of total electricity, while combined cycles, which use gas, accounted for 21% of production.
Fall in total electricity demand
Total electricity demand fell by 3.6% in July compared to the same period last year. According to Red Eléctrica, gross electricity demand was 22,787 GWh, a decrease of 3.6% compared to July 2022. For the whole year, Spain recorded demand of 142,661 GWh, 4.4% less than in the same period of 2022.
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