300% projected solar power increase in Spain
Despite recent announcements that Spain will continue cutting government subsidies for solar power and wind, the country has announced plans to increase renewable energy production by an astounding 67% over the next decade. This week, Spain sent a draft proposal to the European Commission stating its intention to ensure that, by 2020, 70 gigawatts (GW) of energy will be produced by renewable energy resources, up from 42 GW today.
Under the proposal, Spain will grow its solar power production by almost 300%, from 4.7 GW to 13.4 GW. In addition, Spain’s wind power will nearly double to 38 GW.
Wind power on the rise in Spain
Spain’s aggressive solar installation plans would catapult the nation way beyond the EU goal of 20% renewable energy by 2020. The combined wind and solar projections could result in 23% of all energy and 40% of electricity generated from renewable energy resources over the next decade.
How does Spain continue leading the way with aggressive solar and wind installation plans?
The country has a subsidy program that allows renewable energy producers to earn up to 10 times more than oil and gas producers for their power. Can you imagine what that would be like here in the U.S.? Yet, incremental cuts in the subsidies is hoped to encourage more private investment in renewable energy programs.
Solar panel installations to grow at an astounding rate in Spain
Other countries may want to consider similar national renewable energy goals to that of Spain’s. Here in the U.S., proposed legislation has called for a reduction of CO2 emissions, but we still have not set a national mandate for renewable energy production like Spain has. Still, many states have adopted renewable energy standards or goals of their own. Yet, making this a national priority – particularly in light of tragedies like the BP oil spill in the gulf- might show the world (and our own country) that we’re serious about solar and wind power.
Tags: renewable energy growth, renewable energy production, solar installation, solar plans, solar power growth, solar power production, spain solar power
July 17th, 2011 at 12:51 am
Panel solar subsidy program is an effective way to encourage widespread use of solar panels. What the Spanish government do is the right step to show the world that Spain is one of the leading countries of concentration on green energy, Great progress…go ahead!