2023 has been characterised by a significant decrease in electricity generation in the Autonomous Community of Navarra. According to data published by Red Eléctrica, total electricity production in 2023 was 7,129 GWh, which is 22% less than in 2022.
Gas combined cycle plants have been the generation source that has most reduced its production, falling by more than 40% compared to 2022, while the only one that increased its production was hydro with 8%.
As for modern renewables, wind reduced its generation by 8%, while solar photovoltaic maintained 2022 levels. Despite this reduction in absolute numbers, both have grown in their importance in the mix, with wind contributing 41.2% of total annual generation, and solar 4.2%.
The environmental benefits are clear, as the 3,230 GWh generated by wind and solar in Navarre have avoided the emission of 1,195,000 tonnes of CO2 (if they had been generated with combined cycle), an amount equivalent to the emissions of 577,000 cars for a whole year.
If we compare the evolution of Navarre with national data, we can see that wind power in Navarre has much more weight than at national level (41.2% compared to 23.5%) while photovoltaic solar power, on the other hand, contributes much less in Navarre than at national level (4.2% compared to 14%).
Interestingly, January 2023 was the month with the highest wind power generation in Navarre, covering 65% of monthly generation. For its part, solar generation reached its peak in July and its coverage of the mix in April, reaching 6%. In January, renewable generation as a whole reached its maximum with 80% of the total mix.
With regard to the installation of new capacity, after many years without adding new renewable facilities, 145 MW of wind power were installed in 2023, representing an increase of 11% and bringing the installed wind farm in Navarre to 1,500 MW. Solar power, however, is still not growing in Navarre, although if the projects that are being developed come to fruition, we will see significant growth in the coming years.
All the data can be consulted on the REE website.
