Spain's Solar Leadership and the Push for 2030 Goals

Spain is leading Europe in utility-scale solar energy, with 29.5 GW of capacity in operation and 7.8 GW under construction, according to Global Energy Monitor. It also has 106.1 GW of solar projects in early development, more than the next three European countries combined.

To meet its expanded 2030 renewable energy targets—81 GW of solar and 62 GW of wind—Spain will need to accelerate its deployment of renewables. Challenges like permitting delays, slow growth in rooftop solar, and infrastructure issues need addressing. With the right policies, Spain can still meet its targets set at COP 28.

Spain’s renewable energy success is due to favorable geography and proactive policy. It has long been a pioneer in wind energy, with over 20 GW of wind installed since the early 2000s. Recently, the country has phased out coal, becoming a model for a just transition by supporting coal miners and creating clean energy job training programs. In 2021, Spain passed a comprehensive Climate Change and Energy Transition Law.

In 2023, Spain updated its National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan, increasing targets for solar (both PV and thermal) and wind energy. Spain is also advancing major projects like the 1.9 GW Nudo Mudéjar de Andorra solar-wind complex, replacing the former Teruel coal plant.

Despite solar's recent surge, Spain's dominance in wind energy has slowed. The country ranks third in Europe for installed wind capacity (29.5 GW) and sixth for future capacity (41.8 GW). Solar projects are concentrated in the southern and central regions, while wind farms are mostly in the north.

Spain also has the largest pipeline of utility-scale renewable projects in Europe, with solar leading the way. With 113.9 GW of planned utility-scale solar capacity, Spain is well-positioned to meet its 2030 solar goal of 57 GW. It has already achieved 60% of that target with 29.5 GW installed and 7.8 GW under construction, meaning it only needs to bring a portion of its planned projects online to reach its goal.