The national electricity demand in Spain saw a 3.1% increase in September compared to the same month of the previous year, once the effects of temperature and workdays were factored out. In gross terms, the demand is estimated at 19,831 GWh, 1.2% higher than in September 2023.

In the first nine months of 2024, Spain registered a cumulative demand of 185,599 GWh, 0.9% higher than the same period in 2023. After accounting for the effects of workdays and temperatures, demand grew by 1.5% compared to the same period last year.

In September, renewables generated 11,513 GWh, 33% more than in September 2023, and accounted for 53% of the total. Meanwhile, 77% of the electricity was produced without emitting CO2 equivalent.

The leading source of production for the month was nuclear power, with 22.9% of the total, followed by wind power, which increased its generation by 27.6% compared to September 2023, reaching a share of 21.1%, and solar photovoltaic, which saw a 25.6% growth and became the third largest source, with 19.5% of the mix.

Peninsular demand increases by 3.3%

On the mainland, once the effects of workdays and temperature were taken into account, demand was 3.2% higher than in September 2023. In gross terms, the demand for this month was 18,486 GWh, 1.3% higher than in the same month of the previous year.

From January to September of this year, mainland demand was 174,055 GWh, 0.9% higher than the recorded demand in 2023. After accounting for workday and temperature effects, mainland demand grew by 1.5% compared to the same period last year.

The total renewable generation on the mainland increased by 32.9% in September compared to September 2023, reaching 11,265 GWh, which accounted for 54.9% of the total national production mix. Renewable technologies contributed 80.3% of the total.

The generation structure in the peninsula for September was also led by nuclear power, which was responsible for 24.2% of the total, followed by wind power with 21.6% and solar photovoltaic with 20.2%.

Electricity system in the Balearic and Canary Islands

In the Balearic Islands, electricity demand in September was 0.1% higher than in the same month of 2023, once the effects of workdays and temperatures were considered. The gross demand for the month is estimated at 562,009 MWh, 0.8% lower than in September of the previous year. From January to September 2024, the gross demand in the Balearic Islands is estimated at 4,696,360 MWh, 0.4% less than in the same period of 2023.

As for generation, combined-cycle plants, with 65.3% of the energy produced in the Balearic Islands, were the primary source of generation in the islands this month. Renewable energy generated in the Balearic Islands represented 15.1% of the total. Balearic renewable generation increased by 34.6% in September compared to the same month last year.

Moreover, during this month of September, the submarine link between the Peninsula and Mallorca contributed to covering 28.8% of Balearic electricity demand.

In the Canary Islands, the electricity demand increased by 0.4% compared to the same month in 2023, considering the effects of workdays and temperatures. In gross terms, the demand was 745,626 MWh, 0.1% higher. For the first nine months of 2024, the Canary Islands’ demand is estimated at 6,548,841 MWh, 1% more than in the same period of 2023.

As for electricity generation in the Canary Islands, the combined-cycle plants, with 41.3% of the total, were also the leading source in August. Renewable energy accounted for 25.1% of the production, generating 187,201 MWh, a 37% increase compared to September 2023. Wind energy contributed 20.3% of the total, with a 46.7% growth compared to its production in September 2023.