Wind power avoided 26 million tons of CO ₂ in Spain and saved 1,609 million euros, according to the sector

Wind energy prevented the emission of a total of 26 million tons of _CO2 per year in Spain as well as the import of 9.5 million tons of oil equivalent, which represents 1,609 million euros, as reported by the Wind Business Association at the discussion table ‘The role of renewables in decarbonization’, held this Thursday in Madrid coinciding with the XXV Conference of the Parties to Climate Change of the UN.

Thus, the sectoral organization defends that achieving the wind energy objectives in Spain foreseen in the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan will mean 45 percent of the reduction of _CO2 emissions in 2030.

The organization estimates that between 2010 and 2030 wind energy will allow a total of 490 million tons of _CO2 to avoid the atmosphere, which is equivalent to about 14,700 million euros in emission rights.

The Wind Business Association has shown this Thursday its commitment to the objectives of the Paris Agreement and “works to bring to fruition the decarbonization of energy”.

Thus, recalls that the objective of the European Union is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20 percent in 2020 compared to 1990 and 40 percent in 2030, although the challenge could increase if the proposal of the new president of the European Commission is approved next week, Ursula Von der Leyen who wants to compromise climate neutrality in 2050.

Thus, in the absence of closing the year 2019, the Spanish emissions figures note the efforts in renewables that will allow to meet one year in advance the common objective of the EU to reduce its _CO2 emissions by 20% by 2020 compared to 1990. Without wind, _CO2 emissions up to November would have been 24 percent higher than in 1990.

The sector expects that the start-up of the renewable installations of the auctions held in 2016 and 2017 will allow an even greater reduction of _CO2 emissions and an important step will be taken towards the decarbonization of energy in 2050.

Between 2000 and 2018, 353 million tons of _CO2 were avoided into the atmosphere, of which 51 million were reduced between 2017 and 2018. In 2018, wind avoided 26 million tons of _CO2, equivalent to 73 percent of total emissions from coal-fired power plants in the same year. During the past year, savings in _CO2 emission rights amounted to €401.3 million (at an emission allowance price of €15.88/tonne).

Wind will account for 34 percent of the total national electricity demand in 2030 and will be placed as the main generation technology and the deployment of wind will account for between 22 and 49 percent of the emission reduction effort until 2030.

Wind power led the generation mix in November, when 3.8 percent of the electricity consumed in Spain was thanks to wind. Wind electricity is generated in 807 Spanish municipalities in 16 autonomous communities.

Source: The Vanguard