After the impact caused by the power outage last April, the Spanish Government has decided to strengthen its support for the renewable energy sector with the approval of Royal Decree-Law 7/2025, which introduces a set of regulatory measures designed to ensure the viability of hundreds of solar and wind projects at risk of cancellation. This response comes at a critical time, with the sector facing bureaucratic obstacles, reduced investment, and a context of falling energy prices. The new regulation seeks to give developers a boost and ensure the continuity of the energy transformation process, considered essential for the country's energy security and self-sufficiency.
The decree responds to the Claims from the renewable industry and major sector associations, which had been warning of the danger of a massive project screening driven by the expiration of administrative deadlines and the slowness of permit granting. With measures that make these deadlines more flexible and streamline procedures, the Government aims to pave the way toward the ambitious goals of the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC) and strengthen Spain's competitiveness in terms of sustainability.
Extensions and flexibility to avoid cancellation of renewable energy projects
One of the main axes of the royal decree is the extension of the deadlines for solar and wind plants to start their activity. without losing access rights to the electricity grid, a situation that affected dozens of projects already built or in an advanced stage of execution. The Executive now grants extensions of up to three years and allows rescheduling the start-up of the facilities, both for developments with rights prior to 2018 and for those after, recognizing the weight of delays in permits, judicial appeals or administrative procedures beyond the control of the developers.
From Ecological Transition the importance of a orderly and efficient renewable deployment, which takes into account the bottlenecks arising from increased electricity demand and the limitations of the current transmission network. Therefore, deadlines are suspended in the event of judicial delays, and autonomous communities are allowed to review the validity of meeting milestones if unforeseen causes beyond the control of the companies are proven.
Storage and system stability come to the forefront
Energy storage becomes protagonist and key element of the new regulatory frameworkThe decree recognizes the public utility of this type of infrastructure, which facilitates its processing and opens the door to its integration as both generators and consumers within the electricity system. It makes the hybridization of renewable installations with storage systems more flexible, avoiding duplication in approval processes and providing projects with greater legal stability.
In addition, renewable plants will be able to participate actively involved in voltage regulation and system balancing and adjustment services, functions previously reserved, for the most part, for conventional generation. This measure, endorsed by the CNMC, will allow green technologies to contribute to grid stability, especially in scenarios of high renewable penetration and low prices.
Streamlining procedures and supporting electrification
Among the latests Moravia's compositions new administrative toolsThe government is introducing simplified procedures for facility upgrades (renovating old equipment), preferential access to projects that integrate storage, and exemption from environmental assessments for modifications within the authorized perimeter. It also clarifies operational responsibility for shared evacuation infrastructure, requiring binding agreements that prevent blockages and conflicts between developers.
The decree promotes the electrification of demand in both the domestic and industrial sectors. It promotes the installation of charging points for electric vehicles, the promotion of efficient technologies such as aerothermal energy, and the creation of electrified industrial clusters. Furthermore, tax incentives (rebates on property tax, property tax, or exemption from the property tax) are being introduced for low-consumption electrical technologies, and shared self-consumption mechanisms are being facilitated, extending the permitted radius to 5 kilometers between consumers connected to the same low-voltage grid.
Network operator reinforcement and system monitoring
The reform also updates the role of the electricity system operator and grid planning. It requires periodic adaptation of the investment plan every three years and establishes mechanisms to free up resources. access capacity blocked by unused rightsThis will allow the entry of new industrial activities and renewable energy projects in regions where grid congestion previously prevented this. At the same time, the maximum connection process duration for new demands is reduced and the use of underutilized infrastructure is optimized.
At the regulatory level, the CNMC will have to implement an extraordinary inspection plan focused on the operational capacity of the system's various agents, with the aim of ensuring a response to future situations of extreme stress or blackouts.
A more stable and dynamic framework to accelerate the energy transition
This set of measures represents a turning point for the development of renewable energies in SpainThe new operational framework aims to reduce regulatory uncertainty, ensure the financial and technical viability of projects, and maximize the integration of renewables into the national energy mix. The consensus among institutions, business associations, and technical stakeholders highlights that, with this boost, the Spanish electricity system will be better prepared to face the challenges of a rapid, orderly energy transition aligned with climate and reindustrialization objectives.
