Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 11 (2007) 1776–1793 Contribution of renewable energy sources to electricity production in the autonomous community of Navarre (Spain): A review Luis Marı´a Lo´pez Gonza´lez a , Jose´ Marı´a Sala Lizarraga b , Jose´ Luis Mı´guez Tabare´s c , Luis Marı´a Lo´pez Ochoa a,Ã a Universidad de La Rioja, Escuela Te´cnica Superior de Ingenierı´a Industrial, Grupo de Termodina´mica Aplicada, Energı´a y Construccio´n, Calle Luis de Ulloa 20, 26004 Logron˜o (La Rioja), Spain b Universidad del Paı´s Vasco, E.T.S. de Ingenieros Industriales de Bilbao, Spain c Universidad de Vigo, E.T.S. de Ingenieros Industriales de Vigo, Spain Received 16 January 2006; accepted 18 January 2006 Abstract Economic development in recent decades has been characterised by the increased use of fossil fuels. Clearly, a significant amount of this energy does not fall in line with the principles of sustainable development, either because of its contaminating effect or because of its non-renewable nature. Today, Navarre generates around 60% of its electricity requirements by means of wind power and small hydropower stations. On the downside, Navarre’s energy consumption is above average for the European Union and its economy is growing at an annual rate in excess of 5%. The Castejo´n (800 MW) thermal power stations, scheduled for enlargement, generate more energy than Navarre’s entire wind power sector. In terms of hydroelectric power, there are around 200 small hydropower plants in operation. In addition, the Autonomous Community of Navarre has installed a biomass plant in Sangu¨ esa, with an installed output of 25 MW, annually generating 200 GWh through the combustion of 160,000 t of cereal straw. In addition, Navarre, specifically Tudela, is the site of the largest solar energy plant in Spain, producing 1.2 MWp, following its connection to the grid at the beginning of the year. Two thirds of ARTICLE IN PRESS www.elsevier.com/locate/rser 1364-0321/$ - see front matter r 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2006.01.002 Ã Corresponding author. Tel.: +34 941 299 536; fax: +34 941 299 478. E-mail address: luis-maria.lopez@dim.unirioja.es (L.M. Lo´pez Ochoa).