A windfarm in Spain
As of March 2011, wind power accounts for 21% of the electricity demand in Spain. Which made it the #1 source over nuclear (19%) for the first time. Although this is an achievement, and Spain in setting records in green technology, it is coming at a very large price.
Despite the environmental impact, the financial repercussions are catching up. The renewable energy produced in Spain is heavily subsidized by the government since it can not compete with the cheapness of more traditional fuels. Unfortunately the subsidize are paid by Spain's citizens. According to professor Gabriel Calzada of King Juan Carlos University, the bill to the citizens has turned out to cost $774,000(USD) for every "Green Job" created.
Meanwhile, job losses experienced through the hike is energy prices are causing a loss of 2.2 jobs per every Green Job. For example, Spain's Acerinox SA, a major steel fabricator, has decided to move many jobs to South Africa and the U.S. due to the domestic energy prices.
This issue has effected several other countries as well, and is poised to hit the United States via President Obama's $20 billion dollar green energy incentive. Let's hope something can be learned from Spain's wins and losses.
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