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Wind turbine symbolizes Spain's renewable energy shift
A lone wind turbine in Figueruelas, a small town in Aragón, northeastern Spain, stands as a testament to the country's expanding renewable energy sector. The region, known for its strong winds and abundant sunshine, hosts numerous wind and solar farms that have become central to Spain's energy transition.
Major battery factory boosts local economy
Figueruelas' role in Spain's green energy future has been reinforced by the construction of a massive electric vehicle battery plant nearby. Chinese firm CATL and Dutch-based Stellantis are jointly investing €4 billion ($4.7 billion) in the facility, which China's ambassador to Spain, Yao Jing, described as one of the largest Chinese investments in Europe.
Luis Bertol Moreno, the town's mayor, highlighted the region's natural advantages: "We have wind year-round, plenty of sunshine, and are surrounded by wind turbines and solar panels. These energy sources will power the new factory, which is why it's being built here."
Renewables dominate Spain's energy mix
Spain's commitment to renewable energy has grown significantly in recent years. In 2017, renewables accounted for just a third of the country's electricity production, but by 2024, that figure had risen to 57%. The government aims to increase this to 81% by 2030, aligning with its "Green, baby, green" slogan-a direct response to former U.S. President Donald Trump's pro-fossil fuel rhetoric.
Blackout sparks debate over energy stability
However, Spain's renewable energy strategy has faced criticism following a nationwide blackout on April 28 that left homes, businesses, and public services in darkness across Spain and Portugal for several hours. The government's inability to immediately explain the outage fueled political debate, with conservative opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo accusing the administration of "fanaticism" in its green energy policies.
Feijóo and other right-wing figures suggested that Spain's heavy reliance on renewables may have contributed to the blackout, pointing to a record 61.5% solar energy share in the national grid just a week earlier.
Grid operator denies renewables caused outage
Both the government and national grid operator Red Eléctrica have dismissed claims that the blackout was linked to renewable energy. Concha Sánchez, Red Eléctrica's head of operations, stated: "We have operated the system with higher renewable rates before without compromising security. This was not due to the proportion of renewables at the time."
"Definitely it's not a question of the rate of renewables at that moment."
Concha Sánchez, Red Eléctrica
Sánchez attributed the blackout to a combination of factors, including an "unknown event" that caused anomalous voltage oscillations shortly before the outage. Investigations are ongoing, though a cyber-attack has been ruled out.
Nuclear industry pushes back against phase-out plans
Since the blackout, Spain has temporarily increased its reliance on natural gas, raising questions about the country's energy future. The nuclear sector, which supplies about 20% of Spain's electricity, has criticized the government's plan to close all five nuclear plants between 2027 and 2035.
Ignacio Araluce, president of Foro Nuclear, an industry association, argued that nuclear energy provides stability and complements renewables. "It's prudent to have a mix of renewables and nuclear," he said, noting that nuclear plants operate continuously, unlike weather-dependent renewables.
The political opposition, including the far-right Vox party, has echoed these concerns, calling nuclear power a "crucial source of stability" amid the government's lack of clarity on the blackout.
Storage and grid connectivity remain challenges
Concha Sánchez acknowledged that Spain's energy model still has room for improvement, particularly in storage and grid connectivity. "While we've made progress in renewable installation, we lag behind in storage," she said. The Iberian Peninsula's relative isolation from the rest of Europe's grid further complicates energy security.
Political uncertainty clouds energy future
Spain's energy policy faces additional uncertainty due to political instability. The Socialist-led coalition government has been weakened by corruption scandals and a collapsing parliamentary majority, raising the possibility of a snap election. Polls suggest a right-wing victory, which could shift Spain's energy priorities away from renewables toward more traditional sources.
Figueruelas reaps benefits of green transition
Despite the challenges, Spain's renewable energy transition continues to drive investment. In Figueruelas, the new battery factory is expected to create 35,000 indirect jobs, while 2,000 Chinese workers will temporarily relocate to the town of 1,000 residents to assist with construction.
"These investments revitalize the area-they boost construction, hospitality, and the energy is free, relying only on the sun and wind."
Manuel Martín, local resident
