Wind power storms to top of energy league

Wind power was the major source of Spain's electricity needs in March for the first time ever, according to figures released Thursday by Red Eléctrica de España (REE), the company that runs Spain's transmission grid.

REE said wind farms' contribution to the country's power needs last month saved 250 million euros in fossil fuel imports and reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 1.7 million metric tons.

Wind power met 21 percent of Spain's electricity demand in the month, generating 4,738 gigawatt hours. Renewable energy sources as a whole accounted for 42.2 percent of demand, down from 48.5 percent in March of last year when hydroelectric output was much higher. Spain's government has made saving on fuel imports a priority, and a debate on the future of Spain's aging nuclear plants is underway.