Spain’s 2024 Energy Report: Progress Towards Sustainable Development Goals

Advancements in Climate Action (SDG 13) and Clean Energy (SDG 7)

In 2024, Spain demonstrated significant progress in its decarbonization strategy, directly contributing to SDG 13 (Climate Action). This was achieved primarily through an accelerated transition to renewable energy sources, aligning with the objectives of SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy).

• Greenhouse gas emissions from the electricity sector fell by 16.8% compared to 2023, marking a cumulative decline of 75.7% since 2007.
• Total national emissions decreased by 1.5 million tons, resulting in a 6.3% reduction compared to 1990 levels and a 38.5% reduction from 2005 levels.
• This progress was underpinned by the expansion of renewable energy, which was the fastest-growing source in the primary energy matrix (+6.2%).
• The share of natural gas in the primary mix decreased by 4.6%, while coal’s contribution to the electricity mix was reduced to a marginal 1.2%.

Decoupling Economic Growth from Emissions (SDG 8)

The 2024 data illustrates a successful decoupling of economic growth from energy consumption and emissions, a key target of SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). The Spanish economy grew while simultaneously reducing its environmental footprint and improving energy efficiency.

• The nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) recorded a substantial increase of 3.5%.
• Primary energy intensity improved, with a reduction of 1.0%, indicating less energy is required to generate economic wealth.
• Industrial efficiency was notable, with the manufacturing and construction sectors increasing final energy consumption by only 0.8% despite much stronger growth in economic activity.

Infrastructure and Innovation for a Sustainable Future (SDG 9 & SDG 11)

Spain’s energy transition is supported by significant investment in sustainable infrastructure and innovation, fostering progress towards SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

1. Renewable Energy Generation: Renewable electricity production grew by 11.9%, reaching a record 57.2% of the country’s gross electricity generation. This was driven by sharp increases in hydroelectric (+37.6%) and solar photovoltaic (+23.7%) generation.
2. Solar Power Leadership: For the first time, installed solar photovoltaic capacity surpassed that of wind power. This growth is partly attributed to the rise in energy self-consumption, which reached an installed capacity of 8,256 MW.
3. Sustainable Transport: While the transport sector’s energy consumption grew, transformative measures are being implemented. Registrations of electrified vehicles doubled (a 98% increase in 2025), supported by a network of over 34,000 publicly available electric vehicle charging points.

Summary of Key 2024 Energy Statistics

The annual energy balance highlights a structural shift towards a more sustainable and resilient energy system. For the third consecutive year, Spain maintained an export-oriented electricity balance.

• Primary Energy Consumption: Grew by 2.1% to 117,452 Ktoe, with growth concentrated in the transport sector.
• Renewable Energy Growth: Increased by 6.2% in the primary energy matrix and 11.9% in electricity generation.
• Petroleum Consumption: Increased by 5.6% due to increased mobility.
• Self-Consumption: Officially recorded for the first time, reaching 8,256 MW of installed capacity.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article discusses Spain’s progress in decarbonization, the growth of renewable energy, increased energy efficiency, and economic growth. Based on these themes, the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are addressed:

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy: The core of the article focuses on the significant growth of renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, their increasing share in the energy mix, and improvements in energy efficiency.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The article explicitly links environmental progress with economic performance, highlighting that Spain’s GDP grew by 3.5% while emissions decreased. This addresses the concept of decoupling economic growth from environmental degradation.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The text mentions the development of infrastructure for a green transition, such as the installation of 8,256 MW of self-consumption capacity and the deployment of over 34,000 electric vehicle charging points. It also notes increased efficiency in the industrial sector.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The focus on electrifying the transport sector, evidenced by the doubling of electrified vehicle registrations and the expansion of charging infrastructure, directly contributes to creating sustainable transport systems.
• SDG 13: Climate Action: The entire article is a report on climate action, detailing significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from the electricity sector and for the country as a whole, demonstrating concrete steps to combat climate change.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Several specific SDG targets can be identified from the information provided in the article:

1. Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
   • Explanation: The article directly supports this target by stating that renewable electricity production grew by 11.9% and reached a “record 57.2% of the country’s gross electricity generation.” It also notes that renewables were the “fastest-growing source, accounting for 6.2% of primary production.”
2. Target 7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.
   • Explanation: The article highlights a “positive 1% reduction in primary energy intensity” despite a 3.5% increase in GDP. It also mentions that the economy is “consuming less energy to create more wealth,” which is the definition of improved energy efficiency.
3. Target 8.4: Improve progressively, through 2030, global resource efficiency in consumption and production and endeavour to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation.
   • Explanation: The article provides a clear example of this decoupling. It states that in 2024, Spain “recorded the highest growth among major economies, with a 3.5% increase in GDP,” while “greenhouse gas emissions from the electricity sector fell by 16.8%.”
4. Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies.
   • Explanation: This is demonstrated by the industry’s increased efficiency, where manufacturing and construction “increased their final energy consumption by 0.8%, although their economic activity is growing much more strongly.” The adoption of clean technologies is shown by the rise in solar photovoltaic energy, which “surpassed wind power in installed capacity.”
5. Target 11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all.
   • Explanation: The article points to progress in this area by mentioning the transformation in the transportation sector, including the fact that “electrified vehicle registrations are doubling” and the “deployment of more than 34,000 electric vehicle charging points.”
6. Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.
   • Explanation: The results presented in the article, such as the country’s total emissions falling by “6.3% compared to 1990 and 38.5% compared to 2005,” are direct outcomes of national policies and strategies aimed at decarbonization and promoting renewable energy, as implemented by MITECO (Ministry for Ecological Transition).

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article contains several specific quantitative data points that serve as indicators for measuring progress:

• Indicator for Target 7.2 (Renewable energy share): The article provides precise figures: “Renewable electricity production grew by 11.9% in 2024,” reaching “57.2% of the country’s gross electricity generation.” It also mentions a “6.2% [share] of primary production” for renewables.
• Indicator for Target 7.3 (Energy intensity): Progress is measured by the “1% reduction in primary energy intensity.”
• Indicator for Target 8.4 (Decoupling): The decoupling of growth from emissions is shown by the concurrent “3.5% increase in GDP” and a “16.8%” fall in greenhouse gas emissions from the electricity sector.
• Indicator for Target 9.4 (Clean technology adoption): The growth in clean infrastructure is quantified by the “installed volume of 8,256 MW” for self-consumption solar power.
• Indicator for Target 11.2 (Sustainable transport infrastructure): The “deployment of more than 34,000 electric vehicle charging points” is a direct indicator of infrastructure development for sustainable transport.
• Indicator for Target 13.2 (Greenhouse gas emissions): The article provides multiple indicators of emission reductions: a “16.8% [fall] compared to 2023” in the electricity sector, a “cumulative decline of 75.7% since 2007,” and a reduction in total emissions of “6.3% compared to 1990.”

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: strategicenergy.eu