Spain celebrated a remarkable achievement in renewable energy last week as the country was powered exclusively by renewable sources for a continuous period of nine hours. From 10 am to 7 pm local time on Tuesday, May 16, Spain relied solely on energy generated by solar panels, wind turbines, and hydro sources, according to a report from Spanish newspaper El País.

As one of the global leaders in renewable energy, Spain's milestone exemplifies the capabilities of its renewable energy infrastructure. The success was made possible by the recent increase in the total generation capacity of wind and solar power technologies across the country. The auspicious timing of sunny and windy conditions throughout Spain on that day ensured that both solar and wind systems operated at peak capacity. While nuclear, gas, and coal-fired plants were still operational during those hours, Spain also exported energy to neighboring countries.

Spain's achievement aligns with the growing global trend towards renewable energy. A world ranking compiled by the international non-profit Climate Group places Spain, along with Germany, China, and the U.K., at the forefront of renewable energy adoption. Renewables now account for one-third of global electricity generation, as reported by Scientific American. While Spain's progress is commendable, it underscores the urgent need for governments worldwide to take stronger actions in combating climate change and mitigating its effects. Spain itself faces the challenges of desertification, exacerbated by ongoing drought and the impacts of climate change. The Spanish government has recently announced a €2 billion fund to address future droughts, focusing on critical infrastructure such as seawater desalination plants and wastewater recycling systems.

Source; interestingengineering.com