The relationship between energy generation and sustainability is historically marked by disagreement. However, we can only achieve a sustainable future for the planet if we are able to align these two concepts and thus mitigate the climate crisis we are suffering. Technology already allows us to evolve in a solvent manner along this path, but the current context shows that we must increase the speed of this process of change, which is already underway.
This path began in 2015, when 195 countries, including Spain, signed the Paris agreement in which they committed to limiting the increase in the global temperature of the planet to 2ºC by the end of the century, and to continue until reaching the threshold of 1 .5ºC. For this, it was essential to advance progressively and decisively towards the decarbonisation of the economy.
An ambitious goal in which the European Union has assumed a leading position. The Climate Law, promoted by the European Commission, aims to achieve climate neutrality in 2050, after a drastic reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and a firm commitment to the promotion of renewable energies. A strategic move that the European government identifies with "a prosperous, modern, competitive and climate-neutral economy."
This future under construction is the axis of the II Conference on Sustainability 2022 organized by Redeia and which will be held in Madrid from October 18 to 20. An opportunity to learn about the implications of sustainable development and the weight of the new energy model in accelerating the recovery process.
Over three afternoons, on the stage of the Auditorium of the Giner de los Ríos Foundation in Madrid, experts in the ecological transition, in the fight against the climate emergency, European and national political leaders, businessmen and economists, among other professionals, will parade , to discuss and reflect on how to achieve a sustainable future and, therefore, necessarily more just and inclusive.
The sessions of the first day will focus on aspects related to nature and the new economy. On October 19, it will be dedicated to people as protagonists of change, while the last day will address issues related to governance and risk management.
To participate in these conferences it is essential to register in advance, indicating whether we opt for face-to-face assistance or online monitoring. In the latter case, the sessions can be viewed live through the digital edition of La Vanguardia.
The era of fossil fuels was already dying, but it has been accentuated by the context of the energy crisis accentuated by the war in Ukraine. A terrible scenario that has joined the climatic emergency that we are experiencing and that threatens the well-being of future generations more than ever.
In fact, recently the Aemet confirmed that, to date, the year 2022 in Spain is being the warmest in the historical series and the third driest. In short, the perfect storm has been configured that has urged nations to accelerate the transition to a new energy model.
To this end, the European Commission has launched its REPowerEU plan, with which the Union steps on the accelerator in the ecological transition as the only possible path towards energy autonomy. The purpose of the European authorities is to eliminate dependence on Russian oil and gas before 2030.
To this end, investments amounting to 210,000 million euros will be dedicated to stimulating the massive implementation of the Union's indigenous energies, renewable energies, which are more sustainable and can be produced internally, thus reducing our import needs. Specifically, it is proposed to increase the total renewable energy generation capacity to 1,236 GW by 2030.
Spain can occupy a priority position in this new European energy ecosystem, although some barriers also persist. The most recent data demonstrate the leading role that our country can play in the common energy model advocated by the REPowerEU plan.
Among its strengths, it stands out that more than 58% of the installed power in Spain is of renewable origin. Wind power leads with 26%, while solar photovoltaic exceeds 15% of the generation park.
The year 2022 does not stop registering records that demonstrate Spain's leadership among the large EU countries in terms of clean energy. So far this year, 42% of the electricity generated comes from renewable sources. A year earlier, in 2021, Spain was already the second European country in electricity and solar energy generation.
The commitment to the sun has multiplied in the last five years in Spain: specifically, installed photovoltaic power has tripled. And it keeps growing. This year will close as the year with the highest photovoltaic production. It is not a minor fact that Spain has about 3,000 hours of sunlight per year, which makes it one of the nations with the greatest potential in the generation of this type of energy in the entire EU.
In short, we are in a position to become a power exporter of energy. In fact, we are already doing it. 2022 is being an eminently exporting year, mainly with France and Portugal.
However, the Spanish contribution to European plans is conditioned by a reality: the Iberian Peninsula continues to be an 'electric island', with a notable generation capacity, but with an insufficient level of interconnection with the rest of Europe. The data is alarming: Spain does not reach 3%, while the objective set at European level for 2030 is 15%.
We must continue to move quickly towards this goal. Red Eléctrica, a subsidiary of Redeia, is already working together with its French counterpart, RTE, on a new interconnection with France, the first submarine, in this case through the Bay of Biscay. 400 km that will link Gatika in the Basque Country and Cubeznaiz in France to double the exchange capacity with the neighboring country. This strategic project is already in the last phase of processing.
One of the facilitators of this ecological transition process in Spain is Red Eléctrica, operator and carrier of the Spanish electricity system. Founded in 1985, it was the first company in the world dedicated exclusively to the operation of the electrical system and energy transport.
Its main mission is to guarantee the electricity supply throughout the country and move towards an increasingly renewable system. In this way, it promotes the integration of these energies into the system in safe conditions and facilitates the access and connection of these energies to the grid.
To make this transition possible, one of the main tools is the Electrical Planning 21-26, approved by the Government of Spain and binding for Red Eléctrica.
Thanks to the network developments that it contemplates, Planning is going to be the true facilitator of the renewable deployment that Spain and Europe need: it will allow electricity generation in Spain to be 67% from renewable sources by 2026. Its elaboration and design respond to this requirement in a sustainable way. Planning prioritizes those areas with more renewable resources and less environmental impact.
From Red Eléctrica, they highlight their commitment so that these infrastructure projects are carried out in a timely manner, with social consensus and respect for the environment.
The 2nd Redeia Conference on Sustainability will make it possible to visualize the efforts of Redeia and Red Eléctrica so that Spain advances towards an energy model that guarantees sustainable development. An opportunity to anticipate a future that the current situation is in charge of accelerating.
