Spain's electricity transformation: from coal to over 50% renewable

⚡ Spain's electricity transformation: from coal to over 50% renewable

In less than two decades, Spain's power system has undergone one of the fastest structural shifts in Europe. According to official series from Red Eléctrica de España (REE) since 2007, renewable generation has risen from 20.3 % to 55.5 % in 2025, while coal —which supplied a quarter of the country's electricity (24.8 %)— has become residual (0.6 %).

1. The technological handover: two renewable waves and the coal phase-out

Spain's power transition is explained by two successive surges and a scheduled closure:

1. The first wave was wind power: now consolidated as the country's leading generation source, supplying 21.6 % of all electricity in 2025.
2. The second wave is solar PV: growing from barely 0.2 % in 2007 to 18.5 % in 2025, overtaking coal for the first time in 2020.
3. Closure of coal-fired plants: between 2019 and 2020 most of the coal fleet was disconnected due to higher European CO₂ allowance prices and the end of its regulatory lifespan.

2. Over half renewable and more than three-quarters emission-free

In 2023 Spain crossed the 50 % annual renewable generation threshold for the first time. Adding nuclear generation (which emits no greenhouse gases directly but produces radioactive waste), 74.5 % of the kilowatt-hours generated in 2025 were free of direct CO₂ emissions.

Renewable electricity: Spain 55.9 EU 47.7OECD 35.9France 26.1Portugal 81Germany 59.1Italy 48.8Morocco 24US 25.6China 37 Denmark 91.2Norway 99 % of electricity generation · 2025 · Ember vía Our World in Data All countries →

3. Direct climate impact: each kWh emits one-third the CO₂ of 2007

Replacing coal and gas with wind and solar has slashed the carbon footprint of electricity in Spain:

• In 2007, generating one kilowatt-hour emitted 390 grams of CO₂ equivalent.
• In 2025, that figure fell to 108 g CO₂eq/kWh (a 72 % reduction).
• This multiplies the climate benefit of electrifying transport (electric vehicles) or heating (heat pumps), as the grid powering them gets cleaner every year.

4. Full breakdown of the latest complete year (2025)

Methodology and sources:

• Generation and emissions data: Red Eléctrica de España (REE) — REData, national electricity balance at power plant busbars (complete years).
• European comparison: Eurostat (nrg_ind_ren).
• Further exploration: See Live electricity, Electricity mix, Storage and pumped hydro, Electrification and Spain's total emissions.