Spain eyes doubling renewables output by 2020

Spain's Government has proposed more than doubling production from renewable energy sources by 2020 to just over 20% of total energy use, which would meet EU targets. "We face a high degree of energy dependence, high price volatility in international energy markets and the challenges of climate change," said an Economy Ministry document containing details of government plans to revive the recession-hit economy. The Government is seeking cross-party consensus on its plans to turn a record 3.6% decline in the economy in 2009 into a 2.9% increase in 2012. The document predicted renewables production by 2020 would be the equivalent of 27.9 million tonnes of petroleum, up from 11.96 million tonnes in 2009. That would be 20.2% of Spain's projected primary energy consumption, or just above a target of 20% set by the 27-nation EU. Total electricity demand was seen rising to 300,186 gigawatt-hours from 246,397 in 2009.