The Spanish National Energy and Climate Plan update 2023-2030: welcome ambition, or magical thinking?

Abstract

The Spanish Government presented in June 2023 the update of the National Energy and Climate Plan 2023-2030. The update entails a very significant increase in ambition, with further reductions in GHG emissions and larger shares of renewables, as compared to the first NECP. In this paper we review the major changes presented in the update and assess the extent to which this increased ambition is backed up by a strengthening of the policies required. Unfortunately, the assessment is not positive: the measures proposed are not expected to bring about the emissions reductions required.

The Spanish Government presented in June 2023 the update of the National Energy and Climate Plan 2023-2030. The update entails a very significant increase in ambition, with further reductions in GHG emissions and larger shares of renewables, as compared to the first NECP. In this paper we review the major changes presented in the update and assess the extent to which this increased ambition is backed up by a strengthening of the policies required. Unfortunately, the assessment is not positive: the measures proposed are not expected to bring about the emissions reductions required.