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Endesa's coal-fired power generation in Spain fell by 71% in 2019

In 2019, Endesa's installed power capacity in Spain increased by 647 MW to 23,365 MW, as the group commissioned 557 MW of wind capacity and 339 MW of solar PV and retired 227 MW of coal-fired power capacity. The group generated 61 TWh, i.e. 17% less than in 2018, due to a 31% fall in hydropower generation, partly offset by a higher production from nuclear (+9.2%) and CCGT power plants (+43%). Meanwhile, the higher price of CO2 emission rights, increased competition from falling gas prices, rising renewable power generation, and higher electricity imports contributed to making coal-fired power plants less competitive. Coal-fired power generation fell by 72% in mainland Spain and by 17% in non-mainland territories (oil-fired generation also decreased by 15%).

The lower demand on the Spanish market (-2.7% adjusted for working days and temperatures) due to warmer temperatures and the economic slowdown contributed to the reduction of power generation needs. Net electricity sales were stable in 2019 (-0.2%) at 89 TWh, with sales at regulated prices declining by 7.9% to 11 TWh and sales on the deregulated market hiking by 1% (+4.4% for sales outside Spain). Endesa's gas sales also fell by 8% to 80 TWh due to lower sales to the deregulated market (-4.7%) and international sales (-21%). At the end of 2019, the group claimed an 18% market share in terms of mainland generation (44% for electricity distribution and 34% for electricity supply) and a 16% market share on the deregulated gas market.

Considering that the situation for coal-fired power plants is unlikely to improve in the future, Endesa has decided to shut down imported coal-fired power plants in September 2020 and submitted a request to close these coal-fired power plants in December 2019. The group will focus its investments on renewables. Investments in renewable energy more than tripled in 2019 and approximately 70% of Endesa's development investments were allocated to renewable projects.

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