Renewable Energy
Sector

The photovoltaic sector generated more than 4.5 billion euros for the Spanish GDP in 2020, with Castilla-La Mancha being one of the most important Spanish regions for photovoltaic energy.

Out of the 17 Spanish regions (“Comunidades Autónomas”), Castilla-La Mancha is the third region both in terms of generation (17,86% of Spain) and in installed capacity (19,63%). It should be noted that in 2021, installed capacity in Spain as a whole increased by 29.8%, and generation by 36.7% over the previous year. As a result, the region continues to consolidate its position at the top of the rankings.

CSP (Concentrated Solar Power) generation in Spain is very limited to the southern half of the country: 3 regions provide 95% of the installed capacity. Castilla-La Mancha is the third region in Spain in terms of CSP, with 15.16% of the installed capacity and 13.30% of the generation.

Castilla-La Mancha is one of the leading regions for wind energy in Spain. With 14.29% of installed capacity and 12.69% of generation, it is the third autonomous community in terms of energy capacity and fourth in terms of generation.

Wind power was the leading source of electricity generation in Castilla-La Mancha in 2021; almost 4,000 MW representing a 38.1% share of the total.

The wind power sector generated 3,1 billion euros for the Spanish GDP in 2020 and employed 27,690 workers.

https://energiacastillalamancha.net/

Spain completed its own national hydrogen strategy in October of 2020. The EU will provide funding for hydrogen projects to advance its goals of climate transition and economic recovery after Covid-19. Spain intends to become a net exporter of renewable energy.

Goals for 2030:

• Installed capacity (electrolyzers): 4 GW (more than 300 GW in 2024)
• More than 100 refueling stations
• 5,000 light and heavy vehicles
• 2 train lines
• Handling equipment in 5 largest ports and airports

Source: National Hydrogen Association

The National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology Testing Centre (CNH2) is the only public research center studying hydrogen technology in Spain. It was created in 2007 and is located in Castilla-La Mancha (in Puertollano, Ciudad Real province). Puertollano is connected to important Spanish cities and offers direct connection to Madrid via high-speed train. The CNH2 is dedicated to promoting scientific and technological research related to hydrogen technologies and fuel cells.

Castilla-La Mancha has its own characteristics that make the region a reference point in this sector. Among the many initiatives, benefits and projects, the following stand out:

-its abundant and high quality agricultural production, which serves as raw material for the bio-based industry. The institutional support for R&D&i, thanks to which the region has many public and private research centers, including the Castilla-La Mancha Science and Technology Park, the Regional Institute for Research and Development of Agriculture and Forestry (IRIAF), the Institute for Concentrating Photovoltaic Systems (ISFOC) or the National Center for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells (CNH2).

There are also many public-private collaborations and R&D initiatives at the national forefront, such as the CLAMBER project (Castilla-La Mancha Bio-Economy Region). This project was led and developed by the Regional Institute for Research and Development in Agriculture and Forestry (IRIAF) of Castilla-La Mancha and has the following objectives:

Construction of a technologically advanced biorefinery at demonstration scale to explore the production of innovative value-added bioproducts and biofuels from biomass.

Create a technological pole in the region to activate synergies with companies that both produce biomass and are users of bioproducts, and to promote the creation and exploitation of new market niches.

Revitalize the local economy and reverse the negative demographic trend characteristic of rural areas.

Creation of an efficient system of public-private cooperation focused on scientific-technological progress and a driving force for initiatives with European and international scope.