Additional Grid-E Aspects

• TSO
• DSOs
• CNMC
• MITECO

As per the end of 2024 data, there is a sole TSO operating in Spain (Red Electrica), 5 legally unbundled DSO and 332 accredited electricity suppliers registered in the CNMC. See link: DSO electricity in Spain | CNMC

Smart Meter Penetration Rate

As stated in Title II, Art 4., aggregators are defined as “participants in the electricity generation market that provide aggregation services and that are not related to the customer's supplier”. Thus, this figure will bring flexibility into the electricity market and will contribute to the renewable energy deployment.

99.6% Source: 2020 DSO facts and figures Eurelectric

The smart meter penetration rate in the households (below 15KW – type 5) is 99,64 at 2019.

Sources: INF/DE/180/18 Last milestone of smart meters upgrading plan. 

Report CNMC 2019.pdf (cnmc.es)

Policies on digitalisation of the electricity grid

The National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (NIECP 2023-2030) foresees that renewable energy will cover 81% of electricity demand by 2030. To achieve this, the electricity system must be transformed from its current centralized, and unidirectional design to a distributed, multidirectional, intelligent, and flexible one, thanks to the digitalization of the grid, storage systems, and demand aggregation and management. The smart metering penetration rate in households reached 100% in 2022, leading the Europe deployment.

The National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) includes support for new renewable and distributed energy schemes as well as special attention to mechanisms to enhance grid flexibility and connectivity. Particularly, Component 8) deals with the “deployment and technological upgrading of electric power distribution networks to integrate renewable energy integration of renewable energies, demand management and the progressive electrification of end-use energy and the progressive electrification of energy end-uses including several key reforms and funding allowance”. 

New business models will be also implemented. In this topic, the concept of the independent aggregator was introduced by the Royal Decree-Law 23/2020, 23rd of June in Spain, and more regulation is expected to follow. In this line, a Public Hearing and Information on the Draft Royal Decree approving the General Supply and Contracting Regulations and establishing the conditions for the commercialization, aggregation, and consumer protection of electricity was closed in September 2024, awaiting publication by MITECO new regulation on this matter. 

As stated in Title II, Art 4., aggregators are defined as “participants in the electricity generation market that provide aggregation services and that are not related to the customer's supplier”. Thus, this figure will bring flexibility into the electricity market and will contribute to the renewable energy deployment.

Total number of active electricity nationwide suppliers: 232 Switching rates for electricity household customers in 2018: 10.4% Source: Monitoring Report on the Performance of European Retail Markets in 2018. CEER Report

How does the tariff methodology account for the deployment of RES? 

How does the tariff methodology adapt to islands, microgrids, local grids, etc.? 

Are any policies being produced to account for such developments?

Are there existing caps for RES installed capacity in the network?

No. All new capacity must follow the access and connexion procedure which is limited, among others, the spare capacity to add new generation capacity is analysed as well as the requirements necessary for the safety and quality of supply.

What are the curtailment rules for RES generation? 

There are currently no curtailment rules under Spanish legislation. 

Who is responsible for voltage balancing, frequency reserve, unit dispatching, electrical system management?

The TSO (Red Eléctrica)

Who has access to metering data? 

The DSO in charge of the area where the meter is located and the final consumers too via web.