The Kyoto Protocol is the source of discrepancies affecting the electric Spanish

The origin of the misunderstanding in the electricity sector has to do with the difference of positions between companies from complying with the goals of Kyoto and its application in the European Union through the national plans for the allocation of emission rights.

Iberdrola bets on clean energy - especially Central of combined-cycle and wind farms - for the reduction of CO2 emissions commitments entered into by the EU with the Kyoto Protocol and, at the same time, to maintain the competitiveness of the Spanish industry. For this reason, the company was in favour of that Government "sobreasigne" rights of emission to the other sectors which must regulate their emissions (concrete, refining, steel, glass, paper, ceramics, among others) and that, in his view, have less capacity for technological adaptation. In addition, advocates because the criterion for allocation in the electricity sector is the meet the forecast of future productions (whose structure of generation must adjust is specified at the energy planning of the Government, that raw material cycles combined on thermal power stations) instead of a series of historical productions. These criteria, which are perfectly acceptable, Iberdrola, prevail to those who have already taken steps to comply with Kyoto and not result in an increase in the electricity tariff for consumers.

By against, Endesa, Union Fenosa, Hidrocantábrico and Viesgo believe that strict compliance with the commitments of Kyoto is unworkable both technological and economically and that it will provoke the reduction half of the growth of the economy of Spain, in addition to promoting the cost of the electricity tariff.

These companies are also supported the establishment of a kind of cluster for the joint management of assigned rights, as to avoid the internalization of its cost and the appearance of possible sectoral imbalances, and that, in additionensure the availability of rights to new entrants.

The National Plan of allocation that prepares the Executive must distribute quotas maximum emission of gaseous pollutants in each sector, so that Spain can meet its commitment to ensure that emissions of polluting gases in 2012 not exceed by more than 15 per cent in 1990.

Natural gas has decided to participate in the open debate in the electricity sector on the European directive containing the Kyoto targets. But, with the divergent proposals of Endesa and Iberdrola, the group chaired by Antoni Brufau has opened what it calls "a third way" that, in General, runs parallel to the Iberdrola. However, the impact foreseen on the price of electricity is half way of estimates by the two great power, because that would be a "manageable" rise of 1 percent.

In its plan, Natural Gas supports of new combined cycle plants which, together with a greater weight of renewable energy sources, to change the mix of electricity production. These changes would make it possible to maintain current levels of CO2 emission in the environment of the 85 million tonnes in the next six years, but with increases in the production of 45 percent.

Discrepancies afloradas in the electricity sector on the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol has led to the Spanish electricity industry association (Unesa) to consider the desirability of incorporating new members who do not currently have representation in the employersuch as the starters in the generation market, producers of renewable energy sources and the autogeneradores.

Employers, who now defends the interests of Endesa, Iberdrola, Unión Fenosa, Hidrocantábrico and Viesgo, has been cracked lately its unity of action following the uncheck of Iberdrola in the general position of the sector on this environmental commitment. This has made that some partners have put on the table the need that Unesa becomes a more plural Association and with greater representativity, invoking the "openness" and "democratic" operation enshrined in its statutes.

In favour of the thesis open Unesa more members it is the fact that the new combined cycle electricity generators, producers of renewable, and the private with the backing of the Government in the new energy planning, to produce electricity through cleaner technologies.