A Moeve report warns that Spain still depends on excess fossil fuels, but has potential to reverse the situation with renewables, electrification and green hydrogen. In 2023, our country registered a 68% energy dependence ratewhich means that more than two thirds of the energy consumed in the country come from abroad. This is revealed by the last Energy Insight Published by the company, a report that launches an alarm signal: “In an increasingly uncertain international context, this external dependence represents a strategic vulnerability to Spain.”
Although the figure shows a slight improvement against 70% registered in 2022, it is still above the European average, located in 58%. “The data reflect a system in transition between the inherited fossil model and a new clean model that does not take off“, says the document. The report emphasizes that coal, oil and gas represented 97% of Spain’s energy imports in 2023, and 68% of total consumption.” The need to import fossil fuels exposes Spain to fluctuations of the international market. This instability expensive energy“The report warns.
Despite this vulnerability scenario, the report states that Spain has natural resources, infrastructure and technological capacity enough to build a more autonomous, clean and sustainable energy model. Moeve identifies three strategic axes to achieve this: expand renewable energies, increase electrification and scale the production of green hydrogen and second generation biofuels (2G).
First, the report highlights the need to accelerate the deployment of renewables. In 2024, they represented 57%of the national electricity generation, with wind (23%) and photovoltaic solar (17%) as protagonists. However, Its impact remains limited in the set of energy consumptionsince only 18% of primary energy comes from renewable sources. According to Moeve, the great challenge is in the electrification of intensive sectors such as industry and transport.
Second, the report considers that renewable hydrogen must be promoted, “one of the strongest bets to decarbonize difficult electrification sectors, such as heavy transport or certain industries.” Spain currently currently has a 37 MW electrolysis capacity, far from the objective of 12 GW in 2030. But the potential is huge. “We are one of the most attractive locations in the world to lead the production of renewable hydrogen,” says work, because we have abundant sun and wind, mature networks and infrastructure, legal certainty and a key geostrategic location.
Finally, the report insists on the need for enhance second generation biofuelsproduced from agricultural, forestry or used oils. In 2023, national production barely covered 5% of the demand for liquid fuels, a figure that Moeve considers very low. “Unlike other technologies, biofuels can easily integrate into existing infrastructure.” Spain has a large amount of organic waste that could feed this industry, if an efficient collection system is promoted.
The Moeve report also explains why external energy independence imports and points out that it is not just an environmental objective, it is an economic opportunity. The company estimates that The development of the clean energy industry can generate 700,000 jobs in Spain and increase peninsular GDP by 15%. Only in the field of hydrogen and biofuels, more than 180,000 jobs are planned in 2040. It would also have a direct positive impact on the commercial balance.
“Spain allocates more than 4.6 billion euros per month to import energy products, with a deficit of 2.8 billion euros in the energy balance,” denounces the document. Reducing that capital output would strengthen the economy and improve energy sovereignty.
The report concludes that It is technically viable to move from a 68% dependence to only 13% in 2050. But he warns: “Together, the data reflects a transition system that does not take off.” For Spain to reach the desired energy independence, it will need more than sun and wind. An ambitious political vision, sustained investments and a regulatory framework that accelerates the transformation of the energy system will be needed, since, according to Moeve: “This transition will strengthen our resilience in the face of the volatility of global markets and geopolitical tensions, promoting sustainable economic growth at the same time.”