SPAIN RENEWABLE INCENTIVES

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In Spain, the main support scheme (the “Régimen Especial”) operated until the end of 2011 and was suspended at the beginning of 2012. As of now, no other support schemes for RES-E are in place. A tax regulation system for investments related to RES-E plants is in place.

RES-E operators are entitled to grid connection, priority dispatch against the grid operator. Furthermore, a plant operator is entitled against the grid operator to an expansion of the grid, if the expansion is required for his plant to be connected to the grid.

There is a tax credit for solar thermal and for biofuels in transport. Furthermore a quota system for biofuels is in place. Policies for training and certification of solar panel installers are in place. Buildings should satisfy a minimal solar contribution of warm sanitary water. An overarching RD&D plan is in place that directs support to RES-E, RES-H&C and RES-T.

ELECTRICITY

Support schemes

In Spain, the generation of electricity from renewable sources is mainly promoted through a price regulation system. Plant operators may choose between two options: a guaranteed feed-in tariff and a guaranteed bonus (premium) paid on top of the electricity price achieved on the wholesale market. The price regulation system is currently phased out through Real Decreto-ley 9/2013. The reason for this suspension is traced in the preamble of RDL 1/2012. A different regulation that had previously suspended the support schemes, before their final phasing out: RD 6/2009 established that by 2013 a part of the consumers’ electricity bill (the “peajes the acceso”) should be able to fully balance the costs incurred by the State arising from the support scheme. It was deemed, however, that the situation would not have allowed this goal to be reached by 2013. For this reason, and together with the high growth of RES-E in the past years, even beyond the set goals, all support schemes for RES-E were blocked. SPAIN RENEWABLE INCENTIVES

More about support schemes

Grid issues

In Spain, renewable energy plants are statutorily entitled to priority access to, connection to and use of the grid. Renewable electricity is granted priority dispatch in the electricity markets at no cost, provided the stability and security of the grid infrastructure can be maintained. Renewable energy plants operate under the so-called “Special Regime”. Real Decreto 1/2012 partially modified and suspended parts of this regime, however exclusively in economic terms (support schemes). As regards connection, use and development of the grid with respect to RES-E, Real Decreto 1/2012 has no effect, as confirmed by the National Energy Commission (CNE). SPAIN RENEWABLE INCENTIVES

Plant operators may be contractually entitled to the expansion of the grid. If the expansion is required for a plant to be connected to the grid, the operator of the plant shall bear the costs of the expansion works (“deep” connection charges). Apart from that, the grid operator is obligated to expand his grid in compliance with the general legislation on energy. SPAIN RENEWABLE INCENTIVES

More about grid issues

Policies

Spain has a national training system for installers and an obligatory certification for solar thermal panels. In addition, there are two wider frameworks, the R&D plan and the building code, that include RES as an area of interest. SPAIN RENEWABLE INCENTIVES

More about policies

HEATING AND COOLING SPAIN RENEWABLE INCENTIVES

Support schemes

Currently no support schemes for RES-H&C are in place in Spain.

More about support schemes

Policies SPAIN RENEWABLE INCENTIVES

Spain has a national training system for installers and an obligatory certification for solar thermal panels. In addition, there are two wider frameworks, the R&D plan and the building code, that include RES as an area of interest.

More about policies

TRANSPORT – MOBILITY

Support schemes

Promotion of biofuels in Spain consists of a quota system.

More about support schemes

Source and read more on: RES GLOBAL

Further information

  • Ministerio de Industria, Energía y Turismo (Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism)
  • +34 902 44 60 06
  • Ministry website
  • Asociación de Productores de Energías Renovables (APPA) – Association of Spanish producers of electricity from renewable sources
  • Dr. Mischa Bechberger (International Affairs Manager)
  • + 34 93 241 93 63
  • APPA website
  • mbechberger(at)appa.es
  • Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad – Ministry of Economics and Competitiveness
  • +34 902 218 600
  • Ministry website
  • Ministerio de Educación – Ministry of Education
  • +34 913277681
  • Ministry website