Spain Becomes First Country To Use Wind Power As Primary Source

Anyone who has had to live through the past (or even current) harsh winter can attest that global warming may be taking a toll on our seasons and the weather. While many countries are focusing on how to get energy from clean sources, Spain has led the way in becoming the first country in the world to get most of their energy from wind power. To reiterate: Spain's primary source of energy comes from the wind!

In 2013, according to the country’s grid operator Red Eléctrica de España (REE), wind supplied 20.9 percent of the country's energy demand which placed it ahead of nuclear energy, which supplied 20.8 percent. The 20.9 percent in 2013 is a huge increase from the 13 percent generated by wind in 2012. What's more, the 20.9 percent of wind energy supplied energy to 15.5 million households in Spain. This quantitative measure from wind turbines resulted in a 23 percent decrease in greenhouse gas emissions.

“Spain is a demonstration of how wind energy is becoming the backbone of Europe’s energy system," said Jacopo Moccia, head of political affairs at the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA). "It is also a demonstration of how the energy revolution can create a world-leading industry, jobs and export opportunities. “The Spanish government should be proud of this success story and promote its wind industry, rather than scupper it.”

The benefits of wind energy are countless, especially when considering our environment. Creating energy from wind allows residents and businesses to use electricity without leaving harmful emissions that are affiliated with other forms of energy. "Winds are caused by the interaction of the uneven heating of the atmosphere with the uneven surface of the earth, and the earth’s rotation," writes the United States Environmental Protection Agency. "Winds can generate both electricity and mechanical power. In the case of electricity, the wind pushes the blades of a wind turbine, and the kinetic energy generated from that activity is converted to mechanical power. That mechanical power is then used to drive a generator that produces electricity that can be used in homes and businesses, or sold back to an electricity provider for use on the grid."

But if you think there are no concerns or cons associated with wind energy, think again! The towers that generate and harness the energy are 200 to 400 feet high. Many skeptics argue that the towers are unpleasant, aesthetically speaking, and can harm wildlife in the areas they are placed in. That said, one could argue that global warming causes more harm to animals and their natural habitat than turbines do.