The decarbonization of Spanish electricity accelerates after another record low for coal in May.

May marked the worst performance for coal in terms of its contribution to the Spanish electricity system, representing only 1.4% of the total mix, accelerating the decarbonization of electricity.

The decarbonization of the Spanish electricity system, the foundation of a sustainable model for the country, took another step forward in May, establishing a new all-time low in the contribution of coal-fired electricity to the country’s energy mix. According to Red Eléctrica de España, coal accounted for only 1.4% of total electricity generated during the fifth month of the year, contributing 242 GWh to the total.the lowest since this type of record has existed (2007)It was precisely that year when, in the same month of May, this technology produced 6,220 GWh and accounted for 27% of the total generation for that month in Spain.

REE states, in theNote published on their websiteThis year, 2020, has been key in reducing the use of coal as a source of electricity generation. This aligns with the decarbonization challenges set by the European Union to reduce CO2 emissions.₂The fact is that burning coal to produce electricity is one of the most polluting technologies, which puts it at a disadvantage compared to renewables, which already accounted for 52.4% of Spain’s electricity production during May 2020.

The lower costs of renewables, due to their reliance on environmental factors, make technologies dependent on fuel extraction, such as coal, more expensive. This is compounded by the investment requirements for equipment that purifies polluting gases, a regulation that the European Commission applies to large combustion plants. All of these factors contribute to the competitive landscape of CO2 emissions allowance auctions.₂They have quadrupled since 2013, when the year closed with an average of 4.38 euros/tCO₂on average, compared to the €21.69 that each ton of carbon emitted represents in the first months of 2020.