Indeed, during 2008 wind energy continued to grow with significant direct contribution to the GDP of Spain worth 2,311 M€ which is a 0 , 24% of the total GDP, compared to 1,933 M€ in 2007 and a major drag of the activities of auxiliary companies in 1,492 M€ compared to 1,337 M€ 2007 which represents a contribution of 3,803 M€, 0.39 of the GDP compared to 3,270 M€ from 2007 that represented a 0.35% of the GDP, with the forecast to reach 0.42% of the GDP in 2010 and 0.45% in 2012.
This study shows rigorous and exhaustively other important economic parameters associated with the development of wind power in our country, as its effect on the fiscal balance (244 M€ compared to 189 M€ last year), on the trade balance (2,990 M€ in exports compared to 2007 2,550 M€), employment (41,438 jobs compared with 37,730 in 2007), its contribution to energy self-sufficiency (7.4 MTEP avoided fossil fuel imports compared to MTOE 5.7 last year), environmental benefits (19.1 MT of CO2 avoided), and an effort in R & D (189.5 M€ compared to 174 M€).
According to the president of the Spanish Wind Energy Association, José Donoso, "other non-quantifiable benefits must be added to these data like improving the standards of life in rural areas or creating an image of Spain as technological that benefits all of our companies ". For Donoso, the data and facts that appear in the report "are an evidence that should guide the decisions of policy makers in the energy field, because we do not have a look just at the tariff deficit, but to see beyond and assess and evaluate, quantitatively and qualitatively all the benefits arising from the generation of electricity from wind. "
Following this, AEE presented the attached balance that reflects the amount of the premiums paid in 2008 of 1,138 M€ and the assessment of the socio-economic returns that multiplies by far what was perceived as an incentive.
AEE´s President referred to the current situation, following the establishment of the Register of Pre-Allocation through the RDL 6 / 2009, which has brought the sector to a standstill, especially the industry since they are not receiving orders until promoters have notification of the projects accepted in it.
He stated that "although this is a normal year in terms of power installed, the problem will come on the first half of 2010," adding that "a new remuneration framework for projects that have been left out of the register and for future ones is urgent, very urgent, as the wind energy does not end with the decision of the Council of Ministers last Friday". He reminded that the maturation of a wind farm project is on average 5 to 7 years and that "therefore, it is not a short-term sector but one that works in the medium and long term".
The Director General for Energy Policy and Mines of the Ministry of Industry, Antonio Hernández, congratulated AEE for publishing this interesting study and encouraged other sectors to do the same. Hernández acknowledged the benefits of the reduction of energy dependence, renewable energies and especially, wind energy which "has also had the most orderly development" and concurred with the President of AEE in "the intangible value that is strengthening the technological image of Spain, value we must not lose".
The Energy Policy Director also indicated that his responsibility is to seek balance between the factors of sustainability and supply security. Regarding the Register of Pre-Allocation he announced that he will unveil in the coming days all wind projects that have been admitted in the same that will add up to a total of more than 6,000 MW.
During the technical presentation of the study, AEE’s Technical Director, Alberto Ceña, advanced the main figures of future developments between 2012 and 2016 in an estimate based on two scenarios: one would be meeting the energy policy objectives set out in the Renewable Energy Plan (PER) and the Planning of Electricity and Gas Sectors 2008-2016 (i.e. 20,155 MW of installed power in 2010, and forecast that the growth in installed capacity will be kept in the next decade) and a more negative second scenario that envisages the production of only 800 MW in 2009 and 1,600 MW from 2010 as a consequence of the financial crisis and the constraints created with the entry into force of the Royal Decree Law 6 / 2009. In the first scenario the Wind Energy Sector will bring 2,655 M € directly to the GDP in 2010; 3,239 M€ in 2012 and 4,193 M€ in 2016 whiles in the second one, those amounts would be lowered with a GDP contribution of 2,023 M€, and 2,462 M€ and 3287 M€ in 2010, 2012 and 2016 respectively.
More than a hundred people belonging to several businesses and private sector entities and the Administration attended this presentation of the study.
