28 May 2025 Demand flexibility in Spain's renewable energy puzzle
As dawn breaks over Spain's solar farms, an ironic challenge emerges. The very success of the country's energy transition—renewables now supplying 59% of generation, up from 40% in 2018—has created a new set of complexities that threaten to undermine its sustainability. The record 196 hours of negative electricity prices witnessed in 2024, coupled with 527 hours at zero pricing, represents not just a market anomaly but a fundamental mismatch between Spain's generation profile and its consumption patterns. This paradox lies at the heart of Spain's next energy transition phase—one where demand flexibility must evolve from theoretical concept to operational reality.
