Carmen Bunzl - Universidad Pontificia Comillas

Chapter 4. Case Study: Spain 186
energy, although starting from lower values than the EU average. Energy
intensity continued an increasing trend, contrary to that observed in the EU-15.
The potential for further large hydroelectric installations is virtually
exhausted. The use of domestic coal has been gradually slowed, and nuclear
power has a significant public opposition. There are abundant renewable
resources in solar, wind – Spain has one of the highest wind generation
capacities in the world – and biomass that are developing very actively, though
unevenly, supported by a feed-in tariff.
The long term energy R & D effort is insufficient – 700,000 US$ in 2005, in
this case similar with recent EU and global trends. Although this appears to be
changing, finally, very recently.
With regards to policy, achieving the Kyoto target will be a major challenge
for Spain, as emissions are well above the target (+37% in 2005). The
implementation of the E4 Energy Efficiency Strategy will be pivotal for reducing
emissions. Ambitious targets are also set for renewable energy.
On 23 rd January 2008 the European Commission has proposed new targets
for individual EU countries, including Spain, beyond 2012 (see Section 3.2.1);
based on the energy and climate change package adopted on January 2007 (see
Section 3.1), including an independent EU commitment to achieve a reduction
of at least 20% in the emission of GHG by 2020 compared to 1990 levels, and a
mandatory EU target of 20% renewable energy by 2020 including a 10%
biofuels target. Further implications for Spain will be discussed in Section 3.4.
3 Options for post-2012 EU burden-sharing. Implications on
Spain
3.1 Introduction
Under the Kyoto Protocol, the EU Environment Council adopted in 1997 a
greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction target of 8% in 2012 relative to 1990.
Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería ICAI Carmen Bunzl Boulet Junio 2008