Spain must accelerate the development of new wind energy projects to meet its 2030 target of doubling installed capacity, according to Rocio Sicre, president of the wind energy lobby AEE.
Spain's goal is to reach 62 gigawatts (GW) of installed wind capacity by the end of the decade, up from the current 31 GW. However, progress has been slow, with only around 1 GW added so far in 2023 and 607 megawatts installed last year.
Sicre emphasized the need for faster wind project rollouts, stating, “We need more wind and we need it faster.” She identified the slow permitting process, especially between 2020 and 2022, as a key obstacle, along with uncertainties in electricity demand growth and social opposition in regions like Galicia.
Wind energy plays a crucial role in Spain's decarbonization efforts, supplying over 22% of the country's electricity in 2023.
However, experts warn that Spain risks missing its wind energy targets unless issues such as regional opposition and regulatory delays are addressed.
