This shrinkage in demand was caused by two factors: an increase in the price of energy to the end user (oil-based products, gas, electricity) and the effects of the economic crisis during the second half of the year.

Another feature of the last twelve months was the increased amount of installed potential in the renewables sector (mainly wind power and solar photovoltaic facilities), along with certain problems that have begun to be seen in bringing wind-based electricity production into the electricity system during off-peak hours.

There were also notable efforts during 2008 to increase capacity in connecting both the electricity and gas networks in Spain to those of the country’s neighbours, particularly France.