Spain

In the Spain there are two instruments supporting the RES technology: price regulation and fiscal regulation. [54]

The first one mean of support (price regulation) in general is for all of the RES technologies however there are additional requirements to met. In Spain only power plants which capacity does not exceed 100 MW are supported. Solar systems are eligible only for guaranteed payment and the system operators of rest of the RES power plants which capacity is up to 50 MW can choose between guaranteed payment and a bonuses. Systems which capacity is from 50 to 100 MW are eligible only for bonuses. Moreover is power plants use reactive energy or are high efficient they are eligible for premium. Wind parks are eligible for support until the market cap of 20,155 MW of installed capacity is reached. The PV systems are eligible if their capacity does not exceed 371 MW and thermal-solar systems are eligible if their capacity does not exceed 500 MW (for systems registered to 29th of September 2008). Hydro power plants are supported if total capacity does not exceed 50 MW. Moreover that installation which capacity is below 10 MW are eligible for subsidies until the market cap of 2,400 MW is reached. Wave, marine and tidal technologies are eligible without additional restrictions. Biogas and biomass power plants are supported if capacity does not exceed 250 MW (there are also additional requirements related with fuel). The amount depends from the payment form which the system operator choose (for all technologies beside solar): guaranteed feed-in tariff and variable feed-in tariff. Also bonuses can be paid in two forms: guaranteed premium or variable premium. In guaranteed tariff system there are following prices: [54]

7,3228 €ct/kWh for onshore wind parks during first 20 years and 6,12 €ct/kWh from the 21^st , [54]
from 22,9764 to 44,0381 €ct/kWh for the PV systems registered to 29^th September 2008 during first 25 years and from 18,3811 to 35,2305 €ct/kWh from 26^th, [54]
from 32 to 34 €ct/kWh for the PV systems registered after 29^th September 2008 during first 25 years, [54]
26,9375 €ct/kWh for thermal-solar systems during first 25 years and 21,5498 €ct/kWh from the 26^th, [54]
7,8 €ct/kWh for hydro power plants (capacity up to 10 MW) during first 25 years and 7,02 €ct/kWh from the 26^th, [54]
from 10,754 to 15,889 €ct/kWh for biomass power plants during first 15 years and from 8,066 to 12,347 €ct/kWh from the 16^th, [54]

The second mean of support are fiscal regulation mechanisms. All wind, solar and hydro technologies are eligible without any restrictions. Moreover solar systems can receive additional support if fulfil following restrictions: system have to be integrated or mounted on the building and cover own loads. Bio power plants are supported if combust only fuel obtained from agricultural waste, forestry waste, industry waste, sewage sludge and energy crops. The amount of tax reduction equals 6% of investment costs in 2008, 4% in 2009 and 2% in 2010. [54]

In Spain grid connection system is favourable for the RES power plants which have priority for connection however do not have priority in case of grid expansion. The system operator can expand local electrical network but then he have to cover all costs. [54]

Regulation requirements in Spain are PER 2005-2010, RD 661/2007, RD 1578/2008, RD 436/2004, Ley 54/1997, Ley 35/2006, RDleg 4/2004, RD 1955/2000, RD 2019/1997 and RD 2017/1997. [54]

Description of technology

Economic aspects

Environment and public awareness

Legislation

Final comparison

References