Energy Planning in Spain, 1975-1998

Abstract

Nowadays, energy planning has lost all the importance that used to have in the Spanish economy. However; its study is essential to explain the development of Spanish energy markets during the last fifty years. The National Energy Plan (PEN) was the main instrument of the Spanish planner; who used the models of energy demand in order to forecast market conditions, as well as to justify processes of substitution among energy sources (often oriented to privilege certain supply sectors). In an attempt to forecast demand, PENs included an increasing number of variables and a growing complexity. However; sector efficiency objectives were not always reached, and the loose of competitiveness could not always be avoided.