(Reuters) - Spain generated almost 60% of its electricity from renewable energy sources in the first half of 2024 helped by new solar capacity and more output from hydropower plants, data from grid operator Redeia showed on Tuesday.

Renewables accounted for 51% of the total a year earlier.

Wind farms generated 24.4% of the total, up from 24.1% a year earlier, Redeia said in a statement.

Solar plants generated 16.3% of the total, up from 13.8%, while hydropower dams accounted for 15.9%, up from 9.8%.

Spain aims to generate four-fifths of its electricity from renewables by 2030 under a government plan published last year.

Its main non-renewable source of electricity is nuclear, which produced 18.6% of its electricity in the first half, meaning close to 80% of Spain's power was carbon-free.

(Reporting by Matteo Allievi; editing by Jason Neely)