Careers related to Renewable Energy in

Spain

By Paola Ortega, Pascual Porcel and Sheila Romero

From the late 20th century, renewable energies have been boosted thanks to the policies of the different governments. Nowadays, 35% of the electricity used in Spain is produced by renewable energy. In 2008, it was estimated that between 120000 and 200000 people had jobs related to these sources of energy.

In this chart, you can see the breakdown of total electricity generation in Spain. In spite of the rising importance of

renewable energy, we still have a long way to go. Whereas Greenpeace estimates that solar power could provide seven

times for the electricity we need in the whole country, in 2011 it only represented 4% of it.

The most important types of renewable energy in Spain are:

-Wind power.

-Hydraulic power.

-Geothermical power.

-Solar power.

Wind power It is the most important renewable energy in our country, in terms of the total installed capacity of all the wind power plants.

In the area of Guadix, we have the wind power plant of “El Marquesado”. 1000 people worked in its constructions, and when it was inaugurated in 2008, it was the second biggest wind power plant in Europe. Nowadays, 50 people work in the plant, but there are other people whose jobs are related to it. For instance, there is a company with 450 factory workers that make wind turbine blades for “El Marquesado”.

Hydraulic powerBecause of our dry climate, in our area water is mostly used for human consumption, for irrigation and for other agricultural purposes, and not so much for the production of energy. However, hydraulic power is an important source of renewable energy in other parts of Spain.

Geothermical powerIn Spain, geothermical power is perhaps the less known source of renewable energy. However, for the last two years a company has been building the first geothermical power plant of our country between Darro and Guadix, just five minutes away from Purullena! Between 50 and 60 direct jobs, and many more indirect ones, will be created in the near future.

Solar powerIt has got a great potential in our country, but it is still vastly wasted. In 2005, Spain became the first country in the world to demand the instalation of solar panels in new buildings. Many people work installing these panels, or teaching people how to do it.

Solar power is very important in the area of Guadix. Andasol, the biggest solar power plant in Europe, is located there. 50 people work there, but once again, many other indirect jobs have been created, bringing richness to our area.

We interviewed an employee of the solar power plant of “El Marquesado” (also near Purullena)

-When was the plant built?Although the project dates back to 2001, it was finally built in 2006.

- How much energy is produced by the solar power plant?More than 300 million kWh every year.

- How does it affect the environment? It helps avoid the emision of 170 million kg. of CO2 to the atmosphere. Thanks to it, our solar power plant contributes to the observance of the aims in relation to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

-How is electricity generated?Solar panels transform non-polluting, renewable solar power in electricity, thanks to a field full of mobile PTCs (parabolic through collectors).

- How does the solar power plant affect the population? It provides electricity for more than 100.000 homes, and it helps create and maintain many jobs in the area.

-Why is located near Guadix?- It is an ideal spot, close to a high voltage line, with lots of water coming down from the Sierra Nevada (Snowy Mountains) that we use for the refrigeration system of the plant. At the same time, it is a tableau with many hours of sunlight a day, many sunny days per year, and it is well connected to important centres of population.

In Spain, if you want to work in the field of renewable energy, you have several options.For instance, you can get a degree in Engineering at University, or you can take vocational training to become a factory worker, or a solar pannel installer.Doubtless, these types of jobs will become more frequent and important in the next few years, so what about bearing them in mind when having to choose a career?