Photo: Poco a poco derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 16 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Spain: Energy
Where does a country’s electricity come from, and who can get it?
Spain is placed 25th of 165 countries on energy in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics. Readings behind it: Carbon Intensity of Electricity 146.26 (2024); Renewable Share of Electricity Generation 57.33 (2024).
Share
Energy
25th
of 165 countries placed
Placed from 3 of 3 key statistics
01The evidence
The 3 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Spain on energy — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
146.26
Carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated)
Lower is better
Spain: 146.26. Across the 165 countries in this edition, values run from 23.73 (Bhutan) to 1,306 (Turkmenistan); the world median is 433.75.
- World median
- 433.75
- Best in Southern Europe
- 24.7 Albania
- Land neighbours
- France 40.34 · Portugal 110.64
57.33
Renewables (% of electricity generated)
Higher is better
Spain: 57.33. Across the 165 countries in this edition, values run from 0 (Gambia) to 100 (Paraguay); the world median is 32.06.
- World median
- 32.06
- Best in Southern Europe
- 100 Albania
- Land neighbours
- France 27.53 · Portugal 85.2
Key 3 of 3
World Energy Trilemma Index
World Energy Council
2023 edition · data for 2023 · Express reuse grant (no Creative Commons licence named)
77.8
Trilemma score (0–100)
Higher is better
Ranked 13th of 99 by World Energy Council
Spain: 77.8. Across the 126 countries in this edition, values run from 27.7 (Niger) to 83.2 (Denmark); the world median is 63.8.
- World median
- 63.8
- Best in Southern Europe
- 78.4 Slovenia
- Land neighbours
- France 80.6 · Portugal 76.7
02Over time
Which way Spain is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Carbon Intensity of Electricity
Carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated) · lower is better
SpainWorld median
Spain fell from 470.87 in 2000 to 146.26 in 2024; the world median went from 540.34 to 433.75.
Every year’s figures
Year Spain World median 2024 146 433.7 2023 170 452.7 2022 217 476.3 2021 194 469.0 2020 199 482.0 2019 247 488.2 2018 291 500.4 2017 329 506.3 2016 283 521.9 2015 328 524.8 2014 289 522.3 2013 287 508.8 2012 351 525.4 2011 337 521.4 2010 288 515.5 2009 355 533.6 2008 390 517.2 2007 439 535.3 2006 433 537.5 2005 475 521.4 2004 449 523.1 2003 429 543.1 2002 482 551.3 2001 422 559.3 2000 471 540.3 Renewable Share of Electricity Generation
Renewables (% of electricity generated) · higher is better
SpainWorld median
Spain rose from 15.61 in 2000 to 57.33 in 2024; the world median went from 15.61 to 32.06.
Every year’s figures
Year Spain World median 2024 57.3 32.062 2023 51.5 28.000 2022 42.8 28.881 2021 46.4 28.286 2020 43.9 27.125 2019 37.3 26.296 2018 38.3 25.505 2017 32.3 24.023 2016 38.7 22.218 2015 35.0 21.915 2014 40.2 21.151 2013 39.6 21.593 2012 29.6 19.869 2011 30.0 18.584 2010 32.8 18.572 2009 25.5 17.886 2008 20.1 15.923 2007 19.3 15.586 2006 17.6 15.392 2005 14.6 16.438 2004 18.1 16.445 2003 21.7 16.339 2002 13.8 13.826 2001 21.2 14.023 2000 15.6 15.612
03In context
Spain beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 165 countries on energy, never a place within the region.
Spain and the countries it borders
Standing among all 165; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Carbon Intensity of ElectricityCarbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated) | Renewable Share of Electricity GenerationRenewables (% of electricity generated) | World Energy Trilemma IndexTrilemma score (0–100) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Portugalcompare | 17th | 110.64 | 85.2 | 76.7 |
| Spain | 25th | 146.26 | 57.33 | 77.8 |
 France | 26th | 40.34 | 27.53 | 80.6 |
 Andorra | not placed | — | — | — |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Southern Europe
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 165.
Placed either side on energy
The countries immediately above and below Spain in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Spain is ahead of the world, and behind
25 more statistics filed under energy, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median6
Statistics on which Spain does better than the middle country measured.
RISE Renewable Energy Policy ScoreESMAP · 2023 · world median 33.2683.3333.26No real change since 2013
Spain: 83.33 · world median 33.26 · Renewable energy policy score (0–100). World Bank Group (ESMAP), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 3.056 to 89.52; higher is better.
Wind and Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 5.27942.885.279▼ Worsened since 2014
Spain: 42.88 · world median 5.279 · Wind and solar (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 69.12; higher is better.
Firms Owning or Sharing a GeneratorWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 24.854.65524.85No earlier reading
Spain: 4.655 · world median 24.85 · Firms owning or sharing a generator (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0.158 to 90.51; lower is better.
RISE Energy Efficiency Policy ScoreESMAP · 2023 · world median 48.2379.9448.23No real change since 2013
Spain: 79.94 · world median 48.23 · Energy efficiency policy score (0–100). World Bank Group (ESMAP), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.975 to 95.93; higher is better.
Low-Carbon Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 37.3276.7537.32▲ Improved since 2014
Spain: 76.75 · world median 37.32 · Low-carbon sources (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Position 37th of 162 · derived.
Energy Intensity of GDP (PPP)EIA · 2024 · world median 2.7382.4652.738▲ Improved since 2014
Spain: 2.465 · world median 2.738 · Energy use per dollar of GDP (thousand Btu per US$ at PPP). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.666 to 17.45; lower is better.
Behind the world median3
Statistics on which Spain does worse than the middle country measured.
CO₂ Emissions per CapitaGlobal Carbon Project · 2024 · world median 3.214.5993.21▲ Improved since 2014
Spain: 4.599 · world median 3.21 · Fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person). Global Carbon Project, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.054 to 41.27; lower is better.
Position 75th of 210 · derived, 1st = worst.
Coal Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 00.9180▲ Improved since 2014
Spain: 0.918 · world median 0 · Coal (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 98.25; lower is better.
Firms Identifying Electricity as a Major ConstraintWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 25.7747.7625.77No earlier reading
Spain: 47.76 · world median 25.77 · Firms rating electricity a major or very severe constraint (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 84.77; lower is better.
Position 29th of 179 · derived, 1st = worst.
Level with the median, or no median to compare3
Access to ElectricityWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 100100100▼ Worsened since 2014
Spain: 100 · world median 100 · Population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 5.4 to 100; higher is better.
Access to Electricity, RuralWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 100100100▼ Worsened since 2014
Spain: 100 · world median 100 · Rural population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.7 to 100; higher is better.
Primary Schools with ElectricityUIS · 2024 · world median 100100100No real change since 2016
Spain: 100 · world median 100 · Primary schools with access to electricity (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.246 to 100; higher is better.
No better end13
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Solar Electricity Installed CapacityEIA · 2024 · world median 0.14438.590.144No real change since 2014
Spain: 38.59 · world median 0.144 · Solar generating capacity installed (gigawatts). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 886.66.
Operating Wind Power CapacityGlobal Energy Monitor · 2026 · world median 10031,007100No earlier reading
Spain: 31,007 · world median 100 · Wind farm capacity in operation (megawatts). Global Energy Monitor, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 542,758.
Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 3.04920.753.049Moved since 2014
Spain: 20.75 · world median 3.049 · Solar (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 50.
Nuclear Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 019.410No real change since 2014
Spain: 19.41 · world median 0 · Nuclear (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 67.4.
Primary Energy ProductionEIA · 2024 · world median 0.0771.1550.077No real change since 2014
Spain: 1.155 · world median 0.077 · Primary energy produced (quadrillion Btu). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 130.76.
Primary Energy Consumption per CapitaEIA · 2024 · world median 49.5101.6749.5No real change since 2014
Spain: 101.67 · world median 49.5 · Energy use per person (million Btu). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.95 to 766.07.
Gas Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 2.58518.632.585Moved since 2014
Spain: 18.63 · world median 2.585 · Natural gas (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 99.97.
Photovoltaic Power Potential (PVOUT)World Bank Group (ESMAP), data by Solargis · 2020 · world median 4.2734.4134.273No earlier reading
Spain: 4.413 · world median 4.273 · Practical solar power potential (kWh per kWp per day, long-term average). World Bank Group (ESMAP), data by Solargis, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 2.513 to 5.379.
Natural Gas ProductionEIA · 2024 · world median 00.0290No real change since 2014
Spain: 0.029 · world median 0 · Dry natural gas produced (billion cubic metres). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1,069.
Crude Oil ProductionEIA · 2025 · world median 00.0270Moved since 2015
Spain: 0.027 · world median 0 · Crude oil produced (thousand barrels per day). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 13,586.
Hydro Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 12.8512.2512.85Moved since 2014
Spain: 12.25 · world median 12.85 · Hydropower (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100.
Operating Coal Power CapacityGlobal Energy Monitor · 2026 · world median 525260525No earlier reading
Spain: 260 · world median 525 · Coal-fired capacity in operation (megawatts). Global Energy Monitor, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1,263,101.
Net Electricity Imports (share of generation)Ember · 2024 · world median 0-3.6420No real change since 2014
Spain: -3.642 · world median 0 · Net electricity imports (% of domestic generation). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from -70.16 to 707.07.
No current reading for Spain
RISE Clean Cooking Policy Score and RISE Electricity Access Policy Score. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Energy among Spain’s 16 topics
Energy is Spain’s 7th best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Digital & Technologyjoint 11th of 1984/4 keys
- Gender & Equalityjoint 12th of 1834/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing14th of 2003/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation16th of 1764/4 keys
- Governance & Institutionsjoint 23rd of 1944/4 keys
- Development & Human Capitaljoint 27th of 1963/3 keys
- Energy25th of 1653/3 keys
- Education & Knowledge34th of 1983/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Libertiesjoint 38th of 1984/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade35th of 1774/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience51st of 1934/4 keys
- Peace & Security48th of 1774/4 keys
- Food & Agriculturejoint 50th of 1844/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality54th of 1593/3 keys
- Work & Labour77th of 1824/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability111th of 1864/4 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on energy
The three countries placed highest of 165, and the leaders Spain can most readily be measured against.
1
BhutanSouthern Asia
1st of 165 · 2 of 3 keys
Photo: VIkramjit Kakati derivative work: ויקיג'אנקי · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
NorwayNorthern Europe
2nd of 165 · 3 of 3 keys
Photo: Ximonic , Simo Räsänen · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
UgandaEastern Africa
3rd of 165 · 2 of 3 keys
Photo: Rod Waddington from Kergunyah, Australia · CC BY-SA 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Europe
Norway2nd3/3 keysHighest in Southern Europe
Portugal17th3/3 keysThis page
Spain25th3/3 keys
Positions out of 165 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Questions
Spain on energy: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Spain rank on energy?
Spain is placed 25th of 165 countries on Energy in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics (Carbon Intensity of Electricity, Renewable Share of Electricity Generation and World Energy Trilemma Index). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Carbon Intensity of Electricity figure for Spain?
146.26 in 2024 (carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated)), according to Ember. The world median in the same edition was 433.75.
What is the latest Renewable Share of Electricity Generation figure for Spain?
57.33 in 2024 (renewables (% of electricity generated)), according to Ember. The world median in the same edition was 32.06.
How does Spain compare with France on energy?
France is placed 26th of 165, and Spain 25th. Carbon Intensity of Electricity: France 40.34, Spain 146.26; Renewable Share of Electricity Generation: France 27.53, Spain 57.33; World Energy Trilemma Index: France 80.6, Spain 77.8.
How have Spain’s energy figures changed?
Carbon Intensity of Electricity fell from 470.87 in 2000 to 146.26 in 2024; Renewable Share of Electricity Generation rose from 15.61 in 2000 to 57.33 in 2024.
Which energy statistics are missing for Spain?
No current reading is published for Spain on RISE Clean Cooking Policy Score and RISE Electricity Access Policy Score. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
08Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
This is deliberately the electricity and energy-system subject, not an infrastructure one: roads, railways, ports, water and telecommunications would each need a global series this site does not hold. Emissions are under Environment & Sustainability. Access to electricity is published here in full but takes no part in any ranking — more than half the world’s countries now report 100%, and a position derived from that would read “1, 1, 1 … 123”, which is noise rather than information.
How the Energy standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 3 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 3 keys to be placed.
The energy method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Carbon Intensity of Electricity — Ember, CC BY 4.0
- Renewable Share of Electricity Generation — Ember, CC BY 4.0
- World Energy Trilemma Index — World Energy Council, Express reuse grant (no Creative Commons licence named)
The other 25 statistics on this page come from 8 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Spain’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Spain (banner) — Poco a poco derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Bhutan — VIkramjit Kakati derivative work: ויקיג'אנקי, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Norway — Ximonic , Simo Räsänen, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Uganda — Rod Waddington from Kergunyah, Australia, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Spain: Energy — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/spain/energy