1. Organisation of the review -- 2. Summary of conclusions and recommendations -- 3. General energy policy -- 4. Energy and the environment -- 5. Energy efficiency -- 6. Oil -- 7. Natural gas -- 8. Coal -- 9. Renewable energy -- 10. Electricity -- 11. Nuclear -- 12. Energy technology and R

The Spanish energy sector has undergone many positive changes since the last review. These include an increase in the use of natural gas and renewables in power generation leading to increased security of supply and reduced environmental impacts, further liberalisation of its markets ahead of EU directives and the entrance of new players into the energy market competing with the incumbents. The energy industry has coped very well in satisfying the rapidly increasing demand for energy. Notwithstanding all these positive developments, the energy sector in Spain and the Spanish government will face a number of challenges over the next years. One of the most pressing issues is that Spain's demand for energy has grown rapidly and that this growth shows no sign of abating. Spain's indigenous energy resources are limited and unlikely to increase significantly, with the exception of some form of renewable energy production, in particular wind. Furthermore, weak cross-border gas and electricity interconnections and low electricity trade compared to total demand lead to a situation not dissimilar to that of an island. This carries risks for Spain's security of supply that will become greater with increasing demand for energy. Increasing interconnection capacity between Spain and the rest of Europe could not only reduce these risks, but also contribute to general European security of supply, because Spain could provide an additional entry point for non-Russian and non-Algerian gas to the European Union (EU) through its regasification terminals, and Spanish electricity generators could contribute to supply in neighbouring countries. The introduction of the Iberian Energy Market MIBEL will also help to create a stronger base for the Spanish energy markets when it happens, and should be commended. The decision to delay the introduction of the Iberian Electricity Market MIBEL appears sensible at this stage, however, because it will allow necessary improvements to be made to the market framework.