Miguel de Cervantes wrote in his world-famous book, Don Quixote, “what you see over there aren’t giants, they’re windmills”. Windmills that convert the energy of the wind into power we can use and that have been standing on the plains of La Mancha for time immemorial, making life for human beings a little bit easier.
It comes as no surprise then that La Mancha became one of the first autonomous regions in Spain to manufacture wind turbines and all their components when renewable energies took off; where wind farms have been built and now generate enough wind power to supply the entire region… OK, that second part is not true yet but, as Don Quixote would say, “all in good time”.
Wind power is a renewable and endless source of energy that can lead not only to a reduction in the use of fossil fuels and sustainable development on our planet but also, by being available worldwide, to reducing energy imports and dependency on foreign nations, generating wealth and creating local jobs.
The energy crisis stemming from the war between Russian and Ukraine has highlighted the importance of energy sovereignty around the world. Having enough power to supply yourself and not depend on others is the “big dream” of all European governments right now.
DATA ON THE SECTOR: IN GENERAL TERMS
46.7% of all the electricity generated in Spain came from renewable sources in 2021. This is the highest figure since records began and continues to rise. Of that percentage, wind power is the main source of electricity generation and accounts for 23.3%.
Besides Castilla-La Mancha, the autonomous regions of Andalusia, Castilla y León and Galicia are wind power pioneers in Spain. These four autonomous regions posted outstanding figures last year in terms of installed wind capacity, accumulated capacity and the number of wind farms installed. Together, they account for more than 70% of all wind power in Spain.
There are currently 1,300 wind farms in Spain and 139 of them can be found in Castilla-La Mancha. The country is also home to more than 250 manufacturing, installation and maintenance companies, some of the largest of which are based in La Mancha.
Of all the energy produced in Castilla-La Mancha, 79% of it is renewable and 38.1% is wind. The region of La Mancha ended 2021 with 14.22% of the installed capacity and 13.05% of the energy generated, equating to almost 4,000 MW.
At the start of 2022, La Mancha stood as the fourth autonomous region of Spain in terms of wind power generation and was on the verge of closing June with an accumulated annual total of 4,830 MW.
As stated above, wind power in Castilla-La Mancha does not only involve the energy produced by the wind turbines installed in the region but also the companies that manufacture components for these “windmills” and the installation companies, something that also reduces production costs every time a new wind farm is installed. And there are quite a few such companies already… The 139 that currently exist are constantly being joined by new wind farm construction projects and projects to repower older ones.
A WINDY FUTURE
Importing energy is not necessary if resources are available locally and Castilla-La Mancha has them in abundance. At present, Castilla-La Mancha generates enough electricity from renewable sources to become self-sufficient. However, most of the energy it produces is not consumed within the region itself.
This lack of energy sovereignty and Spain’s current dependency on the import of fuel for certain energies have led Castilla-La Mancha to propose a new strategic plan: A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR ENERGY DEVELOPMENT IN CASTILLA-LA MANCHA, HORIZON 2030.
The investment will amount to 200 billion euros and is expected to create an initial average of 9,000 jobs per year. The following can be highlighted from the plan: 1. To lay the foundations for decarbonisation in Castilla-La Mancha based on a sustainable energy model and promoting energy efficiency, reducing energy consumption and emissions by 32%, especially in those sectors with the greatest savings potential. 2. To prioritiserenewable sources of energy, specifically wind and photovoltaic power. Their implementation seeks to reduce energy imports and the price of electricity. 3. To develop and improve existing installations, given that a large part thereof is reaching the end of its useful life, and existing transmission and distribution grids for both energy and the materials for installation, fostering and enhancing energy infrastructures and assets in the region. |
To develop and improve existing installations, given that a large part thereof is reaching the end of its useful life, and existing transmission and distribution grids for both energy and the materials for installation, fostering and enhancing energy infrastructures and assets in the region.
1. 1. Up to 70% of the bureaucratic procedures that have been necessary until now for submitting a renewable energy implementation project will be eliminated. 2. The processing of and ruling on preliminary and construction permits to build power plants will be completed in combination. Furthermore, all case files that already have a favourable environmental impact report will be given “urgent” status. 3. One of the most important aspects is that prioritisation criteria will be established according to the type of energy and whether the site lies in a low (white) or intermediate (yellow) sensitivity zone. Castilla-La Mancha is one of the zones that emerges most favourably in this regard.más favorecida. |
Wind power companies in Castilla-La Mancha and the autonomous region as a whole face a future they could never have imagined. All the tradition, innovation and development in the sector, as well as all the efforts made in recent years, are focused on positioning this region as a global benchmark for wind power.
