Lorraine Williamson
Spain’s renewable energy output surged in 2024, with several regions generating nearly 90% of their electricity from green sources.
However, major differences persist across the country, and the recent blackout underlined the fragility of the national power grid.
Clean energy now supplies over half of Spain’s electricity
In 2024, 56% of Spain’s total electricity was generated from renewable sources, including wind, solar, and hydro. This marks a 10% increase from the previous year, according to data from Red Eléctrica.
The strongest performers remain in the north and interior of the country, but growth is also picking up elsewhere. Madrid and the Balearic Islands increased renewable generation by more than 24% in a single year. Still, some areas saw a decline, despite it being a record year nationally.
Aragón draws investment through renewable energy leadership
Aragón continues to stand out, generating 88.8% of its electricity from renewables. The region’s leadership in wind energy and rapid expansion in solar capacity have helped secure significant international investment.
In 2024, Amazon Web Services announced a €15.7 billion investment in its Aragón-based Cloud Region, citing the area’s clean energy advantage. Microsoft and Stellantis have also committed billions to projects in the region.
Aragón’s geography and low-cost renewable energy have positioned it as a strategic logistics and data hub. Regional president Jorge Azcón described it as a “natural energy powerhouse” with access to key national and European infrastructure routes.
Galicia and hydro power still play a major role
Galicia produced 84.6% of its electricity from renewables in 2024. Much of this comes from hydropower, further boosted by the closure of the As Pontes coal plant. Total green output in the region exceeded 19,500 gigawatt-hours last year.
Castilla y León leads but avoids the spotlight
Castilla y León topped the renewable rankings with 92.8% of its electricity from clean sources. Wind power remains the largest contributor, supported by favourable terrain and weather. The region has been quieter on the investment front, though it continues to deliver some of Spain’s highest renewable output.
Castilla La Mancha, Andalucía, and Extremadura drive solar growth
More than 70% of Spain’s solar power now comes from three southern and central regions: Castilla La Mancha, Andalucía, and Extremadura. These areas benefit from high sun exposure and are beginning to attract tech investment. Meta, for example, is investing €750 million in Talavera de la Reina, Castilla La Mancha. Google has announced a €535 million data centre project in Málaga.
Power outage raises questions about national resilience
On 28 April 2025, Spain suffered one of the most serious power cuts in recent memory. Millions lost electricity as around 15 gigawatts of capacity disappeared from the grid — nearly 60% of demand at the time.
The cause is still being investigated. However, experts point to the increasing need for reliable transmission networks and storage systems to support the fast growth of decentralised renewable sources.
Disparities across regions hinder unified progress
While northern and southern regions advance, others fall behind. Catalonia, the Basque Country, and the Balearic Islands still have the lowest renewable share. Green energy output declined in Valencia, La Rioja, Cantabria, and Asturias last year.
According to Juan Francisco Cano, director of research at Opina 360, “regions with stronger renewable development are already using it as a competitive advantage.” He believes this divide could widen without coordinated national support.
Outlook for 2025 and beyond
With €40 billion in announced investments across Aragón alone, Spain’s renewable transition is gaining economic momentum. However, to lead Europe in green energy, Spain must address grid weaknesses and close regional gaps in development and infrastructure.