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TUESDAY 10 NOVEMBER, 2009 |

New Wind Power Record For Spain

by Energy Matters

Spain sets new national wind power record

Recent blustery conditions in Spain saw records tumble for wind power production in the country.

At its peak between the hours (local time) of 3am and 8.30am Sunday, the conditions allowed for wind power to supply 53.7% of Spain’s total electricity demand.

On Sunday Spain also reached the maximum simultaneous wind power production on record with 11,546 MW output; 343 MW more than the 11,202 MW achieved on March 5 this year, which at that time accounted for 29 percent of demand cover.

According to an item posted on EVWind, the amount generated during the 5 hour window on Sunday was equivalent to the power output of 11 nuclear plants and 10.7% greater than the previous record set last year.

In the first five days of November, wind power production in Spain came to 913,251 GWh, ahead of combined cycle with 907,894 GWh and 593,553 GWh for nuclear power.

By 2020 Spain is expected to double its wind-power producing capacity from the current level of 16 gigawatts to 45 GW. Figures from the Spanish Wind Energy Association show Spain's installed capacity by January 1, 2009 being 16,740 MW In 2008, Spain's wind power sector covered 11.5% of electricity demand, avoided the emission of 20 million tonnes of carbon dioxide and the import of fossil fuels worth more than 1,200 M €