Spain needs 15-20% firm power capacity even in high-renewables scenarios, GE Vernova analysis finds
GEV•GE Vernova’s analysis finds Spain will need 15-20% firm, dispatchable power capacity even as wind and solar capacity could reach 150-250 GW. Electricity demand is projected to grow around 60% by 2050, while renewables supplied nearly 57% of electricity in 2025 and are expected to exceed 80% by 2030.
1. Power system needs
Spain can reach net-zero electricity by 2050 through pathways with significantly different costs, GE Vernova’s analysis finds. Electricity demand is projected to grow around 60% by 2050, and wind and solar capacity could reach 150-250 GW, but even the most renewable-heavy scenarios require 15-20% firm, dispatchable capacity for reliability. The analysis says coordinated investment in transmission, storage and system services is needed to limit renewable curtailment as generation becomes more geographically concentrated.
