Spanish government’s consideration of discriminatory tax on wind energy threatens the wind power industry

The Spanish wind industry is fighting for its life. Just a few months ago, the government let the support scheme for the industry lapse, citing the economic crisis and falling electricity demand. Now, the government is contemplating a discriminatory tax on wind energy, much higher than for other forms of generation, further feeding the myth that the renewables sector in Spain bears some responsibility for the Spain’s dire economic straits. Nothing could be further from the truth. Spain’s wind industry boasts several world leaders in the sector and is creating jobs and tax revenues despite the lack of demand in the country.

EU Energy Commissioner Oettinger has weighed in on the subject, saying that the proposed levy, ‘makes no sense’, and we would agree that this special discriminatory tax, as well as quite probably being illegal, is a retrograde action which will further damage the country’s economy and generate little revenue for the government’s empty coffers.

Read more: Spanish Wind Energy Association’s (AEE) press release: “The Spanish wind energy industry questions the legality of an 11% tax on wind energy” and EWEA’s blog: Spanish tax the “final blow for wind energy” and “threat to European wind industry”.

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