The secret behind Spain’s solar revolution
- Jose Porras
- Jun 13
- 4 min read
Spain is famed as the land of sunshine, its sun-kissed beaches attracting countless holidaymakers every year. Yet, it’s now using its abundant sunshine in a revolutionary way, utilising nature’s golden resource to generate energy, with solar power now overtaking other forms of energy production in the nation.
Many nations are struggling to harness solar energy, in part due to inadequate infrastructure and lack of land for solar farms.
Spain, on the other hand, has managed to utilise this resource cleverly, with extensive infrastructure including solar farms, energy management systems and the use of innovative electrical cable labels. So much so, that solar power is snapping at the heels of nuclear to become the country’s second most productive power source.
Spain’s nuclear family
There are seven nuclear power plant reactors in Spain – Almaraz I and II, Ascó I and II, Cofrentes, Trillo and Vandellós II. These reactors generate around 20 per cent of the country’s electricity, making them currently the second-largest source of electricity production in the country. This is very impressive, considering Spain’s net installed nuclear power capacity is just 7,117 MW – accounting for just over 5 percent of the nation’s total capacity.
Still, Spain is planning to phase out its nuclear power plants from 2027, closing down four reactors by the end of 2030, with the other three to follow in 2035.
There has been pushback. The nuclear phaseout agreement has been challenged by 32 nuclear power industry leaders. In a joint manifesto, they called for “the opening of a dialogue and the renegotiation of the 2019 agreement on the staggered closure of nuclear power plants.”
Despite the opposition, the stage is set for a major shift in electrical production, with a greater emphasis on renewable energy sources.
The renewable revolution
In 2024, renewables represented over half (56 per cent) of Spain's total energy production. That’s an 11 per cent increase on the previous year and the highest amount of renewable energy generation ever recorded in the country.
Wind power has historically been a major contributor and in the last few years has become the leading single source of energy within Spain’s renewable sector. Yet, while wind power currently holds the top position, solar power is poised to overtake it in the coming years, having seen a large increase in both installed capacity and the percentage of overall energy supply.
Overall, solar photovoltaic energy ranks third behind wind power and nuclear for total energy output. Expect it to knock nuclear off the second spot, perhaps as early as this year.
Solar Surge in Spain
The amount of solar power generated has seen a rapid increase over the past five years. Just five years ago, in 2020, it was 6.2 per cent. That rose to 8.2 per cent in 2021, 10.2 per cent in 2022, 14.2 per cent in 2023 and finally 17 per cent in 2024. That’s a total of 44,520 GWh – the highest annual output in the technology’s history.
The installed capacity of solar photovoltaic (PV) energy has also seen seismic growth in recent years. Data from leading Spanish energy company Red Eléctrica shows that PV has surpassed wind power to become the renewable energy technology with the highest capacity in the country, with a total of 32,043 MW compared to wind power’s 32,007 MW. That’s 24.9 per cent of total installed capacity.
To put that into perspective, the entire combined capacity of non-renewable energy sources is 34.1 per cent – just 10 percent more than PV.
And while an exact number of Spain’s “solar farms” is difficult to pinpoint, the country has witnessed a remarkable surge in large-scale solar installations nationwide. Notable examples include the Escatrón-Chiprana-Samper solar park, which has a combined capacity of 850 MW over 17 power plants, and the Núñez de Balboa plant, with 500 MW of total capacity.
Spain's Solar Power Boom
As one of Europe's sunniest countries, Spain is perfectly positioned to harness solar power. With an average of 2,500 to 3,000 hours of sunshine per year – and even more in some regions – Spain boasts a significant advantage, leading to higher energy yield and efficiency for solar power plants. Plus, with an estimated 70% of the country unoccupied, there's ample space for new installations.
Spain has truly seized this natural advantage, strategically investing in solar infrastructure. This focus has enabled a significant increase in renewable energy production, allowing the country to catch up to nuclear power in its energy mix. This commitment to its abundant solar resources firmly establishes Spain as a leader in the global transition to clean energy.
The Importance of Robust Solar Infrastructure
Spain's sunny climate creates an ideal environment for solar power, but successful growth also depends on robust infrastructure. The safe and efficient management of electrical cabling is crucial for large-scale solar installations.
Kuanttum provides high-quality electrical cable labels designed for these large-scale projects, ensuring reliability, safety, and optimal performance even in intense sunny conditions. Our offerings include heat shrink sleeves for identifying cables and electrical wires, which help conserve resources and improve efficiency. All our labels are manufactured with specialized, high-quality materials, offering a wide range to suit specific needs.
The future is bright with solar
Spain's embrace of renewable energy is proving to be a resounding success, with solar power shining bright among the nation’s renewable power generation mix.
Its growth has been rapid, outpacing even the most optimistic projections.
New solar installations are constantly emerging, further cementing Spain’s position as a leader in solar energy production. This rapid expansion underscores the critical need for robust, reliable infrastructure. At Kuanttum, our high-quality electrical cable labels play a key role in ensuring safety, efficiency, and the continued success of Spain's solar revolution.
