Without Shakeup In Energy Sector, Spain Will Miss Renewable Target For 2010 - Reuters

[hatrack]

MADRID - Spain is set to fall short of its renewable energy goals for 2010 unless there is a shakeup of the sector to stimulate the growth of solar power and biomass generation, renewable energy lobby group APPA said on Tuesday.

The government's energy strategy, in line with the European Union's efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions, states that by 2010 it should be tapping renewable sources for 12 percent of the country's primary energy, 30 percent of its electricity and almost 6 percent of its transport fuel.
"That plan will not be met. Perhaps the wind energy and biofuel targets will be met, but no other technology is going to reach its target," Jose Maria Gonzalez Velez, APPA's chairman, told a news conference.

The government's plan for 2010 includes building new small hydroelectric plants, quadrupling biomass generation, doubling wind energy capacity and rapid growth of solar power, which is negligible at the moment. Spain is under more pressure than most industrialised countries to increase renewable power sources because its carbon dioxide emissions have risen more than 50 percent since 1990.

EDIT

http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/39211/story.htm

[physioex]

1. Well.....

Atleast the are setting targets. Can't say the same about us.

[NNadir]

4. That's how I see it too. The laws of physics are not as important as good intentions.

I really can't see why this is happening. Renewable energy is so broadly available. It's everywhere. It's an explosion. It's great. It's the future. It's irresistable.

I just can't understand why solar power would be "negliable" in Spain, especially since it's stopped raining there and Spain is rapidly becoming a desert. Being in a desert is certainly good for solar power.

What on earth could be the problem?

[paparush]

2. We just returned from Spain (yesterday). They have NATIONAL

standard that every new dwelling built must employ solar panels (I think it can be PV electric or solar hot water). They also have NATIONAL standards for building insulation and energy efficiency.

At least they're doing 'something'.

Also, saw lots of modern windmills along the coast.

[mom cat]

3. And we are doing jack!