Spain has approved wind and sun-powered projects that solidify its ranking as the world's biggest developer of solar-thermal energy.

Last week's approvals by Spain's industry ministry will increase the country's renewable-energy potential by about 37 percent over three years, allowing builders of 6,000 megawatts of wind power and 2,440 megawatts of solar thermal to receive higher prices and priority access to customers than fossil-fuel plants will have.

The solar projects were picked from proposals with a combined potential to supply energy to 6.5 million residences. The country, which has already attracted developments from France's Alstom SA, is home to the world's largest wind-energy investors, Iberdrola SA and Acciona SA.

"This removes any uncertainty and brings regulatory stability to the industry," Jose Javier Ruiz, a utilities analyst at Exane BNP Paribas, said recently by telephone. "By formalizing these projects, the companies can now secure investment."

Spain already has the world's largest development pipeline for solar thermal, which uses the sun's rays to heat liquids to a high enough temperature to produce electricity after sunset.

About 2,000 megawatts of solar thermal are under construction in the world, with 89 percent in Spain, according to an October report by the industry publication CSP Today and the consultant Altran Technologies.

Spain has about 23,000 megawatts of renewable-energy capacity, including biomass and mini-hydroelectric plants, that produce about as much power as 20 nuclear reactors.

Both forms of clean energy receive subsidized rates paid for by consumers that have fueled development by international investors such as Siemens AG of Germany and FPL Group Inc. of the U.S.

The new projects, whose individual developers weren't identified, will enter the industry ministry's registry, which will allow them to start selling energy over the next three years with their connection to the grid set out in a staggered fashion. SUBHEAD: The country has about 23,000 megawatts of renewable-energy capacity.

Originally published by GIANLUCA BARATTI Bloomberg News.

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