Spain: Doubling wind capacity by 2030, a high-risk bet

Spain aims to double its installed wind energy capacity to reach 62 GW by 2030. However, slow administrative processes, local opposition, and declining energy demand threaten the achievement of this ambitious goal.

Share:

Gain full professional access to energynews.pro from 4.90$/month.
Designed for decision-makers, with no long-term commitment.

Over 30,000 articles published since 2021.
150 new market analyses every week to decode global energy trends.

Monthly Digital PRO PASS

Immediate Access
4.90$/month*

No commitment – cancel anytime, activation in 2 minutes.

*Special launch offer: 1st month at the indicated price, then 14.90 $/month, no long-term commitment.

Annual Digital PRO Pass

Full Annual Access
99$/year*

To access all of energynews.pro without any limits

*Introductory annual price for year one, automatically renewed at 149.00 $/year from the second year.

Spain aims to double its installed wind energy capacity from 31 GW to 62 GW by 2030. However, the country faces many obstacles that could jeopardize this ambitious target. In 2023, only 607 MW were added, and projections for 2024 indicate a growth of approximately 1 GW, a pace far below the level needed to meet government targets.

Administrative delays and local opposition

Wind farm projects in Spain are slowed down by lengthy and complex administrative procedures. Between 2020 and 2022, the average time for obtaining permits increased significantly, creating a bottleneck that blocked several projects. Developers face administrative hurdles that delay the start of work for several years, impacting the expansion of installed capacity.

In parallel, regions like Galicia have seen growing opposition from local populations. These resistances are primarily driven by environmental and landscape concerns. Although these oppositions remain localized, they complicate the implementation of new infrastructures, especially in regions with high wind potential.

Impact of declining electricity demand

In 2022 and 2023, electricity demand in Spain decreased, putting pressure on electricity prices and increasing uncertainty about the returns on investments in new capacity. This situation is concerning because it reduces the profitability of wind projects, discouraging investors from committing to new developments.

Initiatives to revive wind development

In March 2024, the Spanish government and the Spanish Wind Energy Association (AEE) signed the “Spanish Wind Charter” at the annual WindEurope event in Bilbao. This charter identifies six strategic actions to support the wind sector and unblock pending projects:

1. Improve visibility and planning in the sector.
2. Optimize auctions by introducing criteria not solely based on price.
3. Coordinate efforts among wind energy stakeholders.
4. Promote long-term agreements to strengthen regulatory stability.
5. Monitor international trade practices to protect the market from unfair competition.
6. Strengthen Spain’s wind equipment manufacturing capacity to reduce dependence on imports.

Economic weight of the wind sector in Spain

Wind energy represents about 0.5% of Spain’s GDP, or nearly 6 billion euros per year. The sector employs over 40,000 skilled workers and places Spain as the fifth-largest exporter of wind technology worldwide. With exports reaching 2.5 billion euros per year, Spain positions itself among the world’s leading players in this industry. Furthermore, the country ranks sixth globally for wind energy patents, illustrating its capacity for innovation in this field.

Outlook and needs to meet the targets

To reach the 62 GW target by 2030, Spain must increase its deployment rate fivefold, from about 1 GW added per year to nearly 5 GW per year. The project pipeline under construction is around 40 GW, but their realization will depend on a significant improvement in the regulatory framework and increased investment in existing projects. Additionally, the development of offshore wind, currently underexploited in Spain, could play a key role in complementing onshore deployment, reducing pressure on land-based projects, and meeting growing electricity production needs.

The financing supported by the European Investment Bank will enable GreenIT to develop its portfolio of onshore wind projects in Italy by 2028.
Indian wind turbine manufacturer Suzlon has secured an 838 MW contract from Tata Power Renewable Energy for a wind project spanning three states, marking its largest order of the 2025–2026 fiscal year.
With 816 MW of capacity and 140 turbines, Colbún’s Horizonte wind farm launched its commercial phase in early September after a gradual deployment over several months.
VSB Germany is developing over 800 megawatts of wind, solar, and storage projects, with 20% originating from repowering, confirming an investment strategy focused on optimising existing assets.
Danish group Ørsted will raise new funds through a rights issue to strengthen its financial structure and cover needs linked to the full ownership of the Sunrise Wind project.
Norway has received two bids for offshore sites in the Utsira Nord zone, marking a key step in the country’s floating wind development.
EDP Renováveis has completed the sale of twelve operational wind farms in France and Belgium to Amundi Transition Energétique for an enterprise value of €200mn ($215mn).
Octopus Energy has signed a strategic agreement with Ming Yang Smart Energy to deploy up to 6 GW of wind projects in the UK, combining software technology and turbines to boost local capacity.
The US government has requested the judicial cancellation of the federal permit granted in 2024 for an offshore wind project, citing impacts on commercial fishing and maritime rescue operations.
Vattenfall commits new investment to the Clashindarroch II onshore wind project, a 63MW site in Scotland set to begin construction in 2026 and deliver first power in 2027.
Alerion Clean Power enters the Irish market through the acquisition of an onshore wind farm in County Tipperary, as part of its 2025–2028 industrial plan.
Driven by China's acceleration, global wind capacity is expected to reach 170 GW in 2025, paving the way for a doubling of installed capacity by 2032.
Ocean Winds reaches a new milestone with the installation of the first foundation at the Dieppe – Le Tréport offshore wind farm, which will comprise 62 turbines supplying nearly 850,000 people.
Pennavel and BrestPort strengthen their partnership around the South Brittany floating wind project, aiming to structure industrial operations from 2030 at the EMR terminal of the port of Brest.
Van Oord has completed the installation of 109 inter-array cables at the Sofia offshore wind farm, marking a major logistical milestone for this North Sea energy infrastructure project.
Italian producer ERG will supply 1.2 TWh of energy to Rete Ferroviaria Italiana starting in October, marking a step forward in structuring the national PPA market.
The Chinese turbine manufacturer has signed a strategic agreement with Mensis Enerji to develop an initial 4.5 GW wind power portfolio in Turkey, strengthening its position in a fast-growing regional market.
The Trump administration plans to revoke federal approval of the New England Wind project, jeopardising offshore wind contracts representing 2,600 MW of capacity off the northeastern US coast.
Orsted and two U.S. states have taken federal legal action to contest the abrupt halt of the Revolution Wind project, a $5 billion offshore venture now at risk of prolonged suspension.
SPIE Wind Connect will carry out subsea connections for phase II of the TPC project, a major development in Taiwan’s offshore wind sector with a projected annual capacity of 1,000 GWh.

Log in to read this article

You'll also have access to a selection of our best content.