Spain eyes doubling renewables output by 2020

SPAIN'S government yesterday proposed more than doubling production from renewable energy sources by 2020 to just over 20 percent of total energy use, which would meet European Union targets. “We face a high degree of energy dependence, high pricevolatility in international energy markets and the challenges of climate change,” said an Economy Ministry document containing details of government plans to revive the recession-hit economy.

The government is seeking cross-party consensus on its plans to turn a record 3.6-percent decline in the economy in 2009 into a 2.9-percent increase in 2012. The document predicted renewables production by 2020 would be the equivalent of 27.9 million tonnes of petroleum, up from 11.96 million tonnes in 2009. That would be 20.2 percent of Spain's projected primary energy consumption, or just above a target of 20 percent set by the 27-nation European Union.

Total electricity demand was seen rising to 300'186 gigawatt-hours from 246'397 in 2009. Details of the electricity generation mix showed the government forecast that renewables would have a 22.7 percent share by 2020, up from 12.5 percent in 2009.