... during the low of July 27 ( see attached graphs from the national grid operator www.ree.es : national demand for electricity, and windpower production, in real time )

Spain's installed capacity : 10,000 MW+

Note : REE removed the installed capacity line from its graphs : too embarrasing, I suppose, as the public was comparing installed capacity and actual production.

With the late arrival this year of Spain's typical summer weather ( 42º in Seville) , air conditioning is pushing demand upwards. But there is no wind, and near zero electricity produced by windfarms...

This indicates that, in Spain, 98% backup is needed ( and maybe more, as I haven't been monitoring the REE website - 186 MW may or may not be the record low ).

This is why Spain is currently building dozens of gas-fired CCGT plants, and Germany 26 coal-fired ones.
http://www.upi. com/Energy/ Analysis/ 2007/04/13/ analysis_ germany_plans_ 26_coal_plants/

Double investment for nothing. What a waste !

And when I say double... it's actually closer to quadruple, as windfarms cost a lot more than conventional energy ( hence the generous subventions ).

Mark