The government expects to finalise the new regulation in the next two weeks. Regardless of its content, that will lift the regulatory uncertainty affecting new capacity for after 2012.
The Spanish wind market’s current slump has been blamed on the present rules.
Speaking at Madrid’s annual wind power convention June 8, Antonio Hernandez, director general of the state energy department, said the document would "guarantee reasonable profitability" and "ensure achievement" of Spain’s 35GW wind target to 2020 (up from 21GW today).
Hernandez said it would maintain the existing production incentive model whereby wind power generation receives an additional payment to the wholesale electricity price. He added capping of annual production was likely to be introduced; a measure the sector attacks as an incentive to wind plant inefficiency.
Hernandez could offer no details regarding incentive levels or quota periods.
.png)
.png)
