The Association of Electric Power Companies (aelec) has welcomed "very positively" the European Commission's decision to give the green light to the Spanish capacity mechanism, understanding that it represents "a decisive step to guarantee the security of electricity supply and advance in the decarbonization of the Spanish energy system," and has stressed that at this moment it is "a priority to move forward with maximum agility in the approval and regulatory development of the mechanism in Spain."
In its statement, the employers' association, which includes companies such as Endesa, EDP España, and Iberdrola, highlighted that, with Brussels' authorization, Spain joins the group of major European markets that already have capacity mechanisms, and that this decision comes in a particularly sensitive context for the European and national electricity system, after Entso-E warned at the end of last year of possible risks to the security of supply in the country on the horizon 2028-2035.
Aelec defined this instrument as "an essential tool" to ensure that the electricity system "has the firm, flexible, and manageable resources necessary to accompany the massive deployment of renewable energies and ensure supply at all times."
In this regard, the association insisted that "it is a priority to move forward with maximum agility" in the processing and regulatory development of the mechanism in Spain, with the aim of it being launched "as soon as possible and providing clear and stable investment signals that ensure supply."
According to the organization, accelerating the entry into force of the measure will allow "the launch of auctions as soon as possible, both long-term and capacity auctions, as well as short-term ones, implementing the capacity mechanism as quickly as possible so that it is in force this year, given its strategic role in promoting decarbonization, guaranteeing security of supply, and facilitating the necessary investments for the country's energy transformation."