Spain urges the EU to strengthen industrial competitiveness and the energy transition

 

Spain has urged the European Union to urgently implement new community instruments to boost industrial competitiveness and accelerate the energy transition. This was stated by the Minister of Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu, during the Competitiveness Council meeting in Brussels.

 

Hereu emphasized the need for European policies that support specific investments in clean technologies, infrastructure and self-generation energy projects"We must continue to coordinate and implement new investment support instruments at the European level, which will help our industry to continue incorporating new technologies for decarbonization, support innovation and, at the same time, expand our production base," the minister stated.

 

The Competitiveness Council meeting focused on supporting key traditional industries, such as the automotive, chemical, machinery and capital goods, steel, and other energy-intensive industries. The Spanish government hopes that Clean Industrial Pact of the European Commission to offer short- and long-term solutions that facilitate industrial investments.

 

Hereu reiterates Spain's commitment to climate goals and renewable and clean energy, and defends community instruments that support investments to advance the energy transition of industry and clean technologies.

 

Demand for Energy Interconnection

 

Minister Hereu also emphasized the importance of competitive energy prices and guaranteed supply. In this regard, he reiterated his call for compliance with the energy interconnection target. between the Iberian Peninsula and the rest of Europe through FranceAccording to EU regulations, this interconnection should have reached 10% by 2020 and 15% by 2030, but currently it barely reaches 3%.

 

In addition, Hereu advocated for clear, predictable, and stable regulations that encourage business investment, and the implementation of trade defense instruments appropriate to the current international context.

 

"We need effective measures to stimulate investment, with financing, aid and guarantees beyond the Next Generation Funds"So that we can continue transforming and expanding our industry," Hereu concluded. The goal, according to the minister, is to launch a genuine support program based on the concept of strategic autonomy, with harmonized measures at the European level and EU resources that ensure a level playing field for all Member States.