The Spanish government committed €794 million ($865.46 million) to boost green hydrogen technology. This funding, announced by Energy Minister Teresa Ribera, supports seven projects with a total electrolysis capacity of 652 MW. This initiative is a strategic move to accelerate the development of green hydrogen production across Spain, aligning with the country’s ambitious energy and environmental objectives.
The funding will primarily benefit five hydrogen valleys and two additional projects, all recognised as projects of interest by the European Commission. This includes €242 million ($273.46 million) for the Puertollano hydrogen valley and €78 million ($85.8 million) each for the Asturias and Los Barrios valleys. Additionally, the Bilbao and Cartagena refineries will receive €160 million ($172.8 million) and €155 million ($167.4 million), respectively, to transition from fossil-based to renewable hydrogen. These initiatives are part of Spain’s goal to achieve 4 GW of renewable hydrogen production by 2030.
These initiatives highlight a significant step towards decarbonising industrial processes where electrification is not feasible. Additionally, Spain is fostering the use of renewable energy by permitting floating solar plants on state reservoirs, enhancing power generation and reducing water evaporation. Complementing these hydrogen-focused initiatives, the Spanish government has also passed regulations to encourage the installation of floating solar plants on state-owned reservoirs. This novel approach not only enhances power production through water-cooled solar panels but also contributes to water conservation by reducing evaporation.