Endesa, through its grid subsidiary, e-distribución, has surpassed 30 GW of distributed renewable capacity connected to its distribution network. This capacity can power nearly 20 million households and avoid the emission of approximately 30 million tonnes of CO2. These are installations from small- and medium-scale renewable energy producers and self-consumption systems, which have gained increasing significance in recent years as a complement to industrial-scale generation. Their connection via the distribution network underscores the growing importance of the grid in the energy transition process.

Since 2020, nearly 11 GW of distributed renewable capacity has been connected to Endesa’s grid, with annual growth highlighting the urgent need for a regulatory framework that promotes grid investment and streamlines permit approvals to meet the rising demand for access.

“The grids are the backbone of the energy transition, an element that operates behind the scenes but without which nothing works. It is vital to encourage investment in grids to accommodate connection requests from renewable energy producers as well as from demand sources, including industries, data centres, desalination plants, or green hydrogen facilities. Without this, decarbonisation targets will not be achieved,” explains José Manuel Revuelta, Endesa’s General Manager of Networks.

The figures reveal the distribution network’s increasing role as an access point for renewable generation into the electrical grid. According to Eurelectric, 70% of the green generation capacity connected to the electricity system by 2030 will utilise the distribution network, a trend confirmed by recent years’ growth.

As of November, Endesa’s network hosted over 18,600 medium-sized renewable energy production installations, primarily photovoltaic systems. Meanwhile, the active self-consumption installations on the e-distribución network have reached nearly 305,000 (associated with 327,000 supply points), representing a 37-fold increase since the end of 2020.

Over the past four years, the total capacity of distributed generation installations has grown by nearly 53%, from 20.1 GW to 30.7 GW. Of this total, 24.7 GW correspond to high-voltage connections, while 6.0 GW are connected via medium- and low-voltage networks.

By November, the renewable generation capacity connected through Endesa’s distribution network had increased by 14%, adding 3.8 GW. This additional capacity can supply the electricity needs of 1.9 million households and prevent the emission of 3 million tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere.