On the 28th of last month, at the airport on Ibiza Island, located about 150 kilometers off the eastern coast of Spain. Although it is an airport with only one terminal for departures and arrivals and one runway, there was a designated electric vehicle charging area in the parking lot. In the city center, not far from the airport, and in various areas near the port, electric vehicle parking spaces and chargers painted green were noticeable.
The rental car companies offered a variety of electric vehicle options. Major vehicles included the Tesla Model 3, Peugeot e-208, e-3008, and Renault ZOE. Choosing an electric vehicle allows for free access to low emissions zones (ZBE).
ZBE has been designated in 149 cities within Spain, and to pass through these areas, internal combustion engine vehicles must register and display a sticker. Depending on fuel type and model year, some internal combustion engine vehicles are not allowed entry. Violating this rule can result in a minimum fine of 200 euros (about 31,000 won) and towing actions. Repeated violations may result in increased fines and the expansion of the low emissions zone.
For several years now, the Balearic Islands, one of the 17 autonomous communities that include Ibiza Island, have been accelerating the transition to electrification. As the number of visitors to the Mediterranean resort destinations of Ibiza, Mallorca, Menorca, and Formentera increases, the importance of reducing carbon emissions and protecting the environment is becoming more prominent.
Since 2021, the Spanish government has been particularly dedicated to fostering the electric vehicle industry. It is working to attract electric vehicle and electric vehicle battery production factories in Spain while supporting electric vehicle purchases and the establishment of charging infrastructure. According to the Association of Automobile Manufacturers (ANFAC), the sales of eco-friendly vehicles (electric and hybrid) in Spain from January to April of this year increased by 54% compared to the same period last year.
As the second-largest automobile producer in Europe after Germany, Spain's electric vehicle market is expanding, with some corporations in the country selecting Spain as a base for battery production. LOTTE Energy Materials is pushing to establish a copper foil factory in Catalonia, while Hyundai Mobis is building a battery system (BSA) production plant in Navarre to supply Volkswagen.
Due to its geographical peculiarities, the pace of change is slow, but the Balearic Islands are actively working to expand the adoption of clean energy. The plan is to raise the proportion of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power to 35% by 2030, with a goal of using 100% renewable energy by 2050. Last year, the annual renewable energy utilization rate in the Balearic Islands was recorded at 14.6%.
Looking at Spain as a whole, it already covered more than half of its power production with renewable energy last year, and it aims to increase that proportion to 80% by 2030. By energy source, the shares of wind (23.2%) and solar (17%) were high. Until 2019, the shares of wind and solar in Spain’s power production were only in the 20% range.
However, concerns about reliance on renewable energy have been raised in Spain and abroad due to the large-scale power outage that occurred last month. The blackout, which happened around noon on the 28th of last month in Spain and Portugal, lasted for a long time and even led to a declaration of a national emergency. The exact cause has not yet been identified, but issues such as unstable power supply, abnormal climate, and aging power grids are being mentioned.
Due to having an independent power grid, the Balearic Islands, including Ibiza, did not suffer from the damage caused by this outage. At the airport, except for some flights to Barcelona being canceled, there were no disruptions in operations such as delays. Two power grids are being established to connect the islands of Mallorca and Menorca, and Ibiza and Formentera in the Balearic Islands.