SolarPACES2006 B5-R1
Copyright © by SolarPACES
1
Economic impact of solarthermal electricity deployment in Spain
Natàlia Caldés, Manuel Varela, Rosa Saez
CIEMAT- Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas Medioambientales y Tecnológicas
Avenida Complutense 22, Madrid 28040, Spain.
Tel.: +34.91.3466350. Fax.: +34.91.3466433. E-mail: natalia.caldes@ciemat.es
Keywords: energy policy, solar energy, input-output analysis.
Abstract- A favourable regulatory framework for the deployment of
solarthermal power plants currently exists in Spain. Thanks to this
regulatory environment, the installed capacity of current and future
promotion projects at different stages of the development process exceeds
500 MW. Given this background, the goal of this study was to estimate the
economic impacts derived from the development of solarthermal power
plants in Spain. Using an input-output analysis, the socio-economic impacts
considered were measured by the gross added value as well as the
employment generated by the construction and operation of such power
plants. Two different scenarios were assessed: first, individual impacts of
two solarthermal power plants and second, the impact derived from the
compliance of the solarthermal power objectives stated by the Spanish
Renewable Energies Plan 2005-10.
Under the first scenario, a parabolic through plant of 50 MW would produce
a total economic impact of 884 M€ (18 M€ per MW installed), being its
multiplier effect 1,83. A solar tower power plant of 17 MW would generate
an economic impact of 498 M€ (29 M€ per MW installed), with a multiplier
effect of 1,87. Under the second scenario, the economic impact derived from
the compliance with the Renewable Energies Plan would amount 3710 M€,
equivalent to an average 17 M€ / MW. The economic impact of parabolic
through plants would come close to 6,300 M€ (16 M€ / MW) and the effect
of solar tower plants would amount 2,400 M€ (24 M€ / MW). Based on this
second scenario, total direct employment generated would be 22