Spain gets 56% of power from renewables, but IEA flags a gap

Energy intensity improved by an average of 2.4% a year over the decade, and greenhouse gas emissions fell by almost a fifth. The agency estimates that without the renewable build-out, gas imports would have been up to 40% higher in 2024.

Gas did rise from 19% of generation in 2024 to 21% in 2025. The report links this to special operating procedures introduced after the blackout of 28 April.

The electrification gap

The problem is demand. In 2024 electricity made up only 25% of Spain's final energy consumption, ten points short of the 35% target for 2030 in the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan. Electricity covered 55% of energy demand in buildings and 29% in industry, but only about 2% in transport.

Transport is the largest final energy consumer and was responsible for 46% of energy-related CO2 emissions in 2024, 7.7% more than in 2015. Oil supplied 92% of its energy. Hydrogen and biomethane have potential, the IEA says, but remain far from their targets.

What the IEA recommends

With so much new renewable capacity, the grid must cope with moments of low demand and high output, and the reverse. The agency calls for more flexibility, energy storage and stronger interconnections with neighbouring countries, which it describes as very limited today. Spain also still needs to electrify transport and much of its industry, adapt buildings and reinforce its networks.