Spain

Index rank 16

Energy Sustainability Index Rankings

 2010  2011  2012  Trend
Energy Performance  31  22  19 
Energy Security  27  27  17 
Social Equity  18  17  19 
Environmental Impact Mitigation  62  46  40 
       
Contextual Performance  22  21  21 
Political Strength  34  37  37 
Societal Strength  22  21  21 
Economic Strength  13  14  14 
       
Overall Rank  26  15  16 
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Fossil Fuel Resources

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Key Metrics

Industrial sector (% of GDP) 25.8
TPEP / TPEC  (net energy importer) 0.23
Emission intensity (kg CO2 per USD) 0.93
Energy affordability (USD per kWh) 0.19
GDP / capita (PPP, USD); GDP Group 29,881 (B)
Energy intensity (million BTU per USD) 0.02
CO2 emissions (metric tons) / capita) 7.17
Population Access to Electricity (%) 100.0
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Index Commentary

Spain drops one place to rank 16 in the Index. A better performance in energy security was driven by a decrease in energy consumption growth and an increased wholesale margin on gasoline. This was however offset by a drop in social equity, driven by a decrease in the quality and affordability of electricity supply. Spain shows a stable performance in all contextual dimensions.

Trends and Outlook

The new Spanish administration has pledged its commitment to renewable and low-carbon energy. In doing so, the country pursues a more efficient way of managing its energy needs with own resources, and becoming a more environmental-friendly producer and consumer of energy. As for the social equity aspects, the country has been dragging on a tariff deficit since year 1997. In order to put an end to this situation, the cost of electricity might rise in the next years. A new Royal Decree was approved in order to guarantee budgetary stability and promote competitiveness. Among other measurements, the decree lays down the reforms needed to reduce the tariff deficit which jeopardizes the economic stability of the power sector. The Spanish administration committed to reach tariff adequacy by the year 2013. An indicative energy plan for 2011-2020 has already been developed by the Spanish administration, following three basic objectives: 1) to improve the security of supply; 2) to increase competitiveness and 3) to guarantee the environmental sustainability. In order to ensure the first of these goals and reduce the financial risks of Spain’s high energy dependence, it is crucial to improve the level of self-sufficiency. To achieve this goal, the energy policy is based on two pillars: increasing both the energy savings and efficiency and the promoting renewable energy.

Notes

1) Data for shale oil is for resources in place