Spain's Energy Landscape: Sources, Consumption, and Dependence

Energy in Spain: Sources, Consumption, and Dependence

Energy sources are the resources that provide useful energy for various applications, such as industry. Spain exemplifies a balance of energy sources and significant energy dependence, as its energy consumption consistently exceeds domestic production.

Increased energy consumption in Spain, driven by industrialization, reached its peak from 1960 onwards. This surge was a direct result of rapid urban development, industrial expansion, and the growth of energy production for transport. The production of energy in Spain takes place from sources such as coal, nuclear energy, hydroelectric power, oil, and natural gas.

Primary Energy Sources and Their Classification

Energy sources are classified based on their formation process and grade of achievement:

• By Formation Process:
  • Renewable: Inexhaustible sources (e.g., solar energy).
  • Non-renewable: Exhaustible sources (e.g., coal).
• By Grade of Achievement:
  • Primary: Sources that require a transformation process before use (e.g., coal, crude oil).
  • Secondary (or Derived): Obtained from the processing of primary ones (e.g., electricity).

Key Primary Energy Sources in Spain

The main primary energy sources are those that consist of energy sources as found in nature; they cannot be used directly but require a transformation process.

Coal

Coal is a black rock fuel that is formed by the decomposition of plant debris over millions of years. Its quality and calorific value depend on its age.

• Historical Role: During the First Industrial Revolution, coal had a hegemonic role, and its production grew significantly at the end of the autarky period. It was supposed to be a replacement for oil, but the energy crisis of 1975 resulted in new consumption patterns for coal.
• Production and Consumption Challenges:
  • In 1984, production fell due to mining problems.
  • Some rich deposits have been exhausted, and others are of low quality.
  • Many present operational and business difficulties.
  • There has been a marked decrease in demand.
  • The fragmented ownership (minifundismo) and Spain's entry into the EU liberalized prices in the basins.
• Main Producing Regions: Asturian, Leonese, and Palencian basins are notable as producers.
• Primary Destination: Its main destination is the production of electricity in thermal plants using coal with high sulfur content, causing acid rain.
• Other Destinations: Cement factories and the steel industry.

Petroleum (Oil)

Petroleum is a dark mineral oil compound that is formed by the decomposition of marine organisms, plants, and animals over millions of years, with layers accumulated in sedimentary formations. It occupies the first place in Spanish energy consumption.

• Domestic Production: Domestic production of oil is low. Enclaves on the Mediterranean coast and inland do not allow for petroleum self-sufficiency.
• Products and Applications: The variety of products and their applications are numerous, especially for transport (diesel and gasoline) and industry.
• Refineries: Refineries are located on the peninsular coast or the islands, as oil arrives by sea, with the exception of Puertollano in Ciudad Real.

Natural Gas

Natural gas is a mixture of hydrocarbon gases that is found in underground reservoirs or associated with petroleum.

• Advantages: Its main advantages are its high calorific value, low price, and that it is a less polluting fossil fuel.
• Usage: It is of recent use, as its consumption has not been excessive.
• Production: Production is located in the Basque Country and Huelva, but Spanish production is insufficient, which also highlights the external dependence.
• Derived Products: The products obtained from natural gas are propane, butane, and naphtha, which have diverse applications, such as industrial processing, etc.