For the first time, the technology that contributed most to the annual Spanish electricity demand coverage was wind power, with a share of 21.1 percent in 2013 (overtaking nuclear at 21.0 percent) compared to 18.1 percent in 2012. Hydroelectric energy doubled to 14.4 percent compared to 7.7 percent in 2012, while coal-fired and combined cycle power stations fell by 14.6 percent and 9.6 percent respectively. Other technologies maintained a similar share or experienced little variation over the previous year.
On February 6th 2013 wind power recorded a new maximum of instantaneous power with 17,056MW, 2.5 percent up on the previous record in April 2012. On the same day the all-time maximum for hourly energy was also exceeded, reaching 16,918MWh. Similarly, in January, February, March and November wind power generation was the technology that made the largest contribution towards the total energy production of the system.
The increased contribution made by renewable energy within the generation mix in 2013, compared to the previous year, enabled the Spanish electricity sector to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions to 61.4 million tonnes, 23.1 percent lower than in 2012.
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