Spain’s installed capacity of wind energy, solar energy and solar thermal energy stood at 66,756 MW in 2024 – 7,278 megawatts more than in 2023. This figure represents an increase of 12.2% over the previous year, according to data recorded by the DBK Industry Observatory at Informa – a subsidiary of Cesce specialising in providing commercial, financial, sector and marketing information in Spain and Portugal.

The biggest growth was in solar energy, which added 6,000 MW to reach 32,350 MW. In addition to growing by 22.8% in a single financial year, this energy source achieved another milestone by exceeding the installed capacity of wind energy for the first time. This other renewable energy source, which increased by 4.1% in 2024, and which translates to 1,275 MW, surpassed 32,100 and moved into second place. Behind the others, solar thermal capacity maintained its 2,302 MW.

Growth trend
According to the Sectors – Renewable Energies report, the growth of solar energy did therefore follow the trend seen in recent years. Thus, as it points out in its nearly 300 pages, this renewable energy source has multiplied its installed capacity in Spain almost fourfold in the last five years. Overall, the three main energy sources have grown by 80% in the last five years.

In terms of marketing, wind energy maintained its top position, with sales volume falling by 3.2% in 2024 to 59,935 GWh. Solar energy, which sold 17.8% more energy than the previous year, thanks largely to an increase in installed capacity, reached 43,181 GWh. Solar thermal energy did in turn generate 4,128 GWh, 12.2% less than in 2023.

High concentration of supply
The high concentration of supply in the industry left 49.5% of the total installed capacity in 2024 in the hands of the top 10 companies. The 10 largest owners per energy source control, respectively, around 90% of solar thermal energy capacity, 64.5% of wind energy and 49.7% of solar energy.

By autonomous region, Castile-La Mancha has the largest number of plants, with around 12,100 installations, and it also leads in terms of installed wind and solar capacity, with around 12,600 MW. This is followed by Andalusia, which has over 8,200 installations and 12,500 MW, and a higher average capacity. In third place, Castile and León has around 6,100 installations and 10,100 MW.

^{Photo: Informa’s DBK Industry Observatory}