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In debates at a recent energy trade fair on the issues of grid connection, environmental legislation and renewables' contribution to regional development in Spain, wind took "centre stage," according to Sergio de Otto from Spain's renewables producers association APPA. Delegates at a congress during Genera 2001, held in Madrid in late February, witnessed a hostile verbal attack on grid owner Red Eléctrica Española (REE) by APPA's Manuel de Delás. His remarks arose from discussion of a grid connection bill that could help solve a current wind development challenge in Spain. The bill, introduced by a commission under the ministry of economy in November, aims to put a stop to "arbitrary actions of certain distributors in denying connection to renewables producers." Consensus is hoped to be reached among the working groups in the commission, of which APPA joins renewables agency IDAE, the national energy commission, associations of electricity generators and distributors and UNESA, a national business association. APPA, which planned to present its proposals last month, expects the bill to be presented for approval before the end of the year.