Proyect and current energy situation in the Basque Country

Abstract

Due to the importance that energy occupies within society as a driver for competitiveness in industry, richness generation, and improvement of the technological development Ibrough new investments, the EU and its different Member States have created a legal ftamework aimed at controIling and reducing energy intensity, reducing the dependency from external countries and facilitating the introduction of indigenous energies for enhancing fmal energy supply. The Autonomous Region of the Basque Country is characterised for its enormous dependence on outsíde energy sources for the supply of a demand with high industrial penetration. Due to this, strategic energy plans have been developed since the 80's. These programmes try to guarantee energy supply in the best conditions of security, quality, economic cost and environmental impacto Several factors have been taken inlo account within these plans, as, for example:Social concems about environment conservation and social welfare,Studies of energy efficiency and savings,The contribution of renewable energies,The contribution of new combined ciele gas fired plants and also combined heat and power (CHP)