“Sorry, Putin”: How Spain is Replacing Russia as Europe’s Energy Power House

The Andasol solar power station operates in Andalusia, Spain. (Wikimedia Commons)

As holder of the European Council presidency, Spain retains penmanship for the European Union’s (EU) ambitious and influential policy agenda until January 1, 2024. Amid the war in Ukraine and Europe’s energy crisis, Spain is pushing through European energy security and transition goals, placing itself as a strategic green energy provider for Europe.

During the last four decades, Europe primarily implemented a strategy of monetary payments to large energy exporters. This energy policy was predicated on the assumption that greater economic interconnectivity would create interdependence between the EU and its neighbors, ensuring reliable energy security. As a result, the EU became reliant on Russia for 24.4% of its energy supply by 2020, according to Eurostat.

At the same time, Europe also pursued a transition toward renewable energy sources, which accounted for 17.1% of the bloc’s energy supply in 2020, according to the European Council. However, many argued that the green energy transition was largely incompatible with energy security goals. As a result, the EU prioritized stable, augmented imports of natural gas and oil to meet energy demands rather than focusing investments into domestic renewables.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine upended this strategy, permitting Europe to transition into a new era of energy goals. The European Commission’s approximately €300 billion REPowerEU investment package clearly states the EU’s reformed objectives: expanding domestic renewable energy sources and diversifying energy imports. Green energy investments, including wind, solar, and green hydrogen, are now critical to both Europe’s energy security objective and the green energy transition. The transition is finally considered a key priority in the security sector.

Spain is using its Council Presidency to champion further strategic autonomy, promoting green hydrogen as a critical future source of sustainable European energy. According to the Council Presidency, “[Spain] has more hours of sunlight than any other EU member state, one of the continent’s largest lithium deposits, and optimal conditions for harnessing wind and water power.” Spain is also strategically positioned at the crossroads between Europe, Africa, and the Atlantic.

This combination of renewable resources and connection with Africa and North America are foundational to Spain’s aims to become a core player in European energy. Spain is heavily investing in dual-use pipelines that are green hydrogen-compatible natural gas hubs. Its crown project, the BarMar pipeline, will connect the Maghreb region and the Iberian Peninsula directly with France and the rest of the European Union. BarMar will exclusively supply Europe with green hydrogen and thus serve as a key source of the continent’s renewable energy, according to the Financial Times.

Additionally, Spain is increasing its solar energy sources, constructing some of the largest photovoltaic plants in the EU. Among its solar fleet, the European Investment Bank funded Spain’s Talayuela Solar plant, which can power 150,000 households, according to the European Commission. Moreover, solar energy is a vital input to power Spain’s planned increase of green hydrogen production.

Spain’s energy priorities directly contribute to Europe’s shifting geopolitical and security aspirations. Greater interconnectivity with West Africa through Spain could ensure EU import diversification, promoting a reliance on multiple actors to replace Russia’s position as a key energy supplier. The now evident contribution of renewables for energy security will also mean Spain will become an essential economic player in EU domestic politics, as the bloc becomes more dependent on Spanish production of green hydrogen, solar, and wind energy by the 2030s.

The accelerated shift toward reliable, renewable sources of energy could ensure Europe’s geopolitical independence and the security of EU citizens. Spain is hoping that its council presidency will act as a stepping stone toward achieving the EU’s secure and green energy goals.