The Spanish government took a further step in its energy transition strategy by submitting to public consultation a draft royal decree that introduces measures to accelerate the deployment of renewable energies, promote industrial self-consumption, facilitate the development of energy storage and modernize the operation of the electricity grid.
The proposal, promoted by the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO), will remain in public consultation until July 13 and is part of the package of measures adopted after the Comprehensive Response Plan to the Middle East Crisis .
The text also incorporates changes aimed at reducing processing times for electrical infrastructure and improving the information that consumers receive in their natural gas bills.
One of the main changes planned is the creation of two procedures to award access capacity at network nodes reserved for tenders.
The first will be aimed at facilitating the repowering of renewable energy parks , especially older wind farms or those located in environmentally sensitive areas.
The second will seek to promote self-consumption in the manufacturing industry , one of the Government's priorities to accelerate the electrification of the productive fabric and reduce the sector's energy costs.
More storage for greater flexibility
The project also incorporates measures to expand the storage capacity of the electrical system.
Among other things, it enables reversible hydroelectric power plants to incorporate new power electronics technologies that improve their operation.
It will also allow solar thermal power plants to expand their solar fields and incorporate thermal storage systems, with the aim of increasing operational flexibility and facilitating greater integration of renewable energies.
More efficient networks and less bureaucracy
Another new feature aims to accelerate the development of electrical infrastructure.
The proposal eliminates, in certain cases, the obligation for developers to demonstrate their technical, legal and economic solvency to the National Commission for Markets and Competition (CNMC), provided that such supervision is guaranteed through other regulatory mechanisms.
The text also promotes the incorporation of dynamic line capacity (DLR) systems, a technology based on sensors and real-time monitoring that allows for increasing the transport capacity of existing lines without the need to build new infrastructure.
Furthermore, it adapts the technical regulations to incorporate new requirements related to voltage control, power ramp management and the particularities of non-peninsular electrical systems.
Changes to the gas bill
The initiative also includes measures to improve transparency towards natural gas consumers.
If the decree is approved, energy suppliers will have to inform customers on the bill about the origin of the gas supplied , including the percentage corresponding to renewable gas , in a similar way to the information currently provided about the origin of electricity.
In addition, the bills will include the user's postal code and annual consumption to facilitate the comparison of offers through the CNMC's comparison tool, which can be accessed directly via a QR code.
Consultation open until July 13
The project will remain in public hearing until July 13 , during which time companies, associations and citizens can submit comments before its final approval.
With this new regulatory package, the Spanish Executive seeks to accelerate the integration of renewable energies, optimize the use of existing infrastructure and strengthen the resilience of the electricity system in a context marked by the growing electrification of the economy and uncertainty in international energy markets.