Spanish wind industry outstrips nuclear capacity for the first time

MADRID, Cinco Dias, 2 December 2004 - the leading Spanish business daily Cinco Dias reported today that according to REE (Red Electrica de España) statistics, wind energy outperformed for the first time the total installed nuclear capacity in Spain.

Renewable energy sources from wind, biomass, solar and other sources represent 23% of the total installed capacity in November this year, while the total installed capacity of nuclear power was only 13%. Spain is the world's second largest renewables market, with over 14759 MW in installed renewables capacity, out of which 7681 MW are generated by wind energy.

According to independent consultants, Halo Energy, Spain is the most dynamic renewables market in Europe right now due to its recently announced onshore wind tariff, which provides long term security that will improve project financing. A position also confirmed by the latest Ernst & Young All Renewables Indeces.

However, Luis Atienza, President of REE, commented that the wind energy industry has to improve in three key areas to further strengthen its position as main energy supplier: energy storage, interconnectivity with European electricity networks and solutions for intermittency issues.