Did the spanish electricity sector greatly benefit from the ‘Hydraulic Policy’ before the Civil War? (1911-1936)

Abstract

The discussion on the hydraulics policy in the 20th century is a classic of Spanish historiography, and has been expanded thanks to productive investigations on hydraulic policy in some basins. Over the course of the last 20 years, our understanding of these past events in the electrical industry and the contribution of infrastructure from the Spanish economy has improved greatly. Thus, the pre-civil war period has been shown to be the most relevant phase of expansion of hydroelectricity in Spain. From 1911 to 1936, 90 percent of the electricity produced in Spain was water-powered and it represented 25 percent of the total energy consumption in the country. We also know that in Spain, like in other countries equipped to take advantage of hydroelectric power, public grants were awarded in order to build reservoir infrastructure under the Gasset Law and during the dictatorship. We know the importance of this aid in France and Italy, but its total impact in Spain is unknown. This article tries to clarify this issue and the first three sections are dedicated to exploring the opportunity and finality of said aid, while the next two sections examine its application. Direct and indirect procedures are used to break down the exact nature of aid received by the hydroelectric companies. The conclusion reached is that public backing for the construction of reservoirs and dikes was, during this period, as slight as the period of industrialist orientation of Spain’s hydraulic policies was short.