Engineers and economists urge the extension of the lifespan of nuclear power plants and a new Industry Law

In Madrid, the eighth edition of the COGITI Industrial Barometer - COGITI International Chair of Engineering and Industrial Policy (UCAM), a study that offers a dual perspective on the situation of the Spanish industry. On the one hand, a survey of 2.388 industrial technical engineers from all over the country reflects their vision on the sector and current issues. On the other hand, the report An economic perspective on the situation of the industry in Spain, prepared by the Research Service of the General Council of Economists of Spain (CGE), delves into the economic and comparative analysis of the industry at the regional and European levels.

During the presentation, Jose Antonio GaldonThe president of COGITI and director of the COGITI International Chair of Engineering and Industrial Policy (UCAM), emphasized the urgent need to "listen to professionals in the sector and adopt measures focused on investment and the development of the industrial fabric." Galdón highlighted the importance of a "stable, economical, and secure" energy model that promotes strategic autonomy and a new industrial fabric. He also emphasized the "Need and opportunity" of the new Law on Industry and Strategic Autonomy, aligned with European objectives.

A resounding 78% of industrial engineers support extending the useful life of Spanish nuclear power plants, while economists warn about the stagnation of the industry's weight in the national GDP and the urgent need for a new Industrial Law.

For its part, Miguel Vázquez Taín, president of the CGE, described a "mixed and volatile panorama" for the Spanish industry in 2023 and 2024, despite the notable recovery in 2021 and 2022. Vázquez Taín stressed that the The sector's weight in Spanish GDP (14,72% in 2023) remains lower than the European Union average (20,10%).This highlights a "need for structural strengthening and new policies to gain industrial muscle and competitiveness." In this context, he called for... Urgent approval of the Draft Law on Industry and Strategic Autonomy, the processing of which has been excessively delayed. The president of the economists demanded the simplification of bureaucracy and creation of a specific financing fund for the industry to unleash your full potential.

Salvador Marin, director of the CGE Research Service and coordinator of the Report, offered a detailed analysis of the "Lights and shadows" in the behavior of the economic variables of Spanish industry. Although 2022 showed significant increases in turnover (26,45%), purchases of goods and services (30,65%) and Gross Operating Surplus (24%), 2023 closed with falls in these same variablesMarín noted that the Industrial Climate Indicator (ICI) has remained in negative territory for 31 consecutive months, reflecting an unfavorable order book and high inventories. However, he highlighted one positive point: Spain's Industrial Production (IPI) and Sales (IV) Indices have been above the European average throughout 2024.This contrasts with previous years. Marín concluded his remarks by emphasizing that "if we truly want the weight of industry in Spain's GDP to reach the percentage that an economy like Spain's deserves, We must act on the levers that activate the magnitudes that we analyze year after year in a positive and constant manner.".