SpainÂ’s watchdog halts solar subsidies

MADRID, SPAIN - Spain's energy watchdog ruled to provisionally suspend paying premiums to 304 solar plants which failed to show they were up and running before subsidies were capped in 2008.

Generous subsidies made Spain the world's fastest-growing solar power market in 2008 and its second-biggest solar producer, before the government imposed limits on plants entitled to support on September 30 that year.

Spain derives about 2 percent of its electricity from solar plants, mostly of the photovoltaic type, which use panels directly turning the sun's rays into electricity.

Solar power costs far more to produce than electricity generated by burning gas or coal, so producers receive so-called "feed-in tariffs" — above market rates — designed to gradually make it competitive.

The National Energy Commission CNE recalled in a statement that it had provisionally suspended another 347 solar plants on March 29.

Last year the CNE began investigating 9,041 photovoltaic plants, of which 840 have waived a premium of 475 euros US $683.9 per megawatt-hour and accepted one of 326 euros/MWh.

Spain's benchmark wholesale power market price on April 14 was 44.43 euros/MWh.

Of the remainder, 2,021 plants have been examined and 651 suspended. The government has the final say on suspensions.

The International Energy Agency, an adviser to industrialized nations on energy policy, estimates solar power could provide up to a quarter of the world's electricity by 2050 but will need government support before the technology becomes cost effective.

Related News

BC Hydro cryptic about crypto mining electricity use

VANCOUVER - In its Nov. 1, 2022 load update briefing note to senior executives of the Crown corporation, BC Hydro shows that the entire large industrial sector accounted for 6,591 gigawatt-hours during the period – one percent less than forecast in the service plan.

BC Hydro censored load statistics about crypto mining, coal mining and chemicals from the briefing note, which was obtained under the freedom of information law because it feared that disclosure would harm Crown corporation finances and third-party business interests.

Crypto mining requires high-powered computers to run and be cooled around the clock constantly. So much so that cabinet…

READ MORE
elon musk

Tesla plans to reveal electric transport truck in October

READ MORE

ontario electrical transmission

National Steel Car appealing decision in legal challenge of Ontario electricity fee it calls an unconstitutional tax

READ MORE

ieso

New Electricity Auctions Will Drive Down Costs for Ontario's Consumers

READ MORE

A resilient Germany is weathering the energy crunch

READ MORE