From Fossil Fuels to Wind: Renewable Energy in Spain (Copy)
The shift away from fossil fuels has become a highly-debated topic in light of the growing climate crisis. However, switching to renewable energy sources cannot happen overnight: regulation, infrastructure, and costs all play crucial roles in determining viability.
Acciona Energía has stood as Spain’s largest renewable energy company, especially in the realm of wind power, since the late 90’s. Undoubtedly, a significant supply of raw materials is required to pivot from an industry that has become deeply ingrained in daily life to one with vastly different operations. Manuel Garcia, a Business and Technology Manager at Acciona Energía, agrees that despite wind energy’s operating costs being cheaper than fossil fuels, the upfront costs are significantly higher. Garcia expressed:
“In evaluating the initial cost of wind energy, you have to consider the fact that a part of the cost is a premium. This is because a lot of infrastructure first needs to be put in place.”
- Manuel Garcia
Through this conversation, I realized that the existing infrastructure for energy production, including power plants, refineries, and pipelines, is built specifically for using fossil fuels. Not only would new infrastructure be necessary for wind energy, but it would have to accommodate for the fact that wind is intermittent, meaning that energy production would be inconsistent. As Spain rises to second place, after Germany, for installed wind energy capacity in the EU, it is important to note that public opinion will change the future usage of wind, current investments, and livelihoods that depend on the fossil fuel industry.
Garcia further emphasized that wind turbine farms are mainly self-sufficient; the needed employees and maintenance are drastically lower than that of a coal plant or oil rig. At 12.7%, Spain already has the highest unemployment rate in the EU and cannot afford to displace more individuals. Since wind energy is still, comparatively, a new industry, these issues need to be caught early on, as they will need time to be fixed before the technology can be used on a larger scale. At Acciona Energía, more wind farms will not be constructed without monitoring current progress extensively and working on its development first.
The commitment to sustainability and mitigating climate change only continues to grow stronger for Acconia Energía. After seeing the wind turbines operating at the wind farm as well as the ones under construction, it is clear that the first step in the transition to renewable energy sources is the recognition of the associated challenges. This consideration is one that reminds me that the fossil fuel industry cannot simply cease to exist in a short period of time. Gradual changes will allow for renewable sources to become a dominant energy supplier.
As Spain works on implementing cleaner, more renewable energy sources for commercial and residential use, the need to allocate resources, engage stakeholders, and develop risk management strategies are imperative. Although transitioning from fossil fuels to wind power is complex, the benefits of lowering carbon emissions and promoting a greener future are worth fighting for.
