In the industrial sector, the focus is clearly on business advancement. That sentiment echoed by government officials suggests rapid momentum. Within seven business days of launching the PERTE decarbonization hotline, more than 100 requests had already been submitted. Officials say this level of early response indicates strong uptake among companies. The statement came during the closing ceremony of the Zero Net Emission Strategy symposium, titled “For a Competitive and Sustainable Industry,” organized by the Energy and Environmental Sustainability Foundation. The event opened in Barcelona with participation from the third vice president and the Minister for Ecological Transition. Teresa Ribera.
The first call will be followed by a second funding cycle from line 1, backed by a total of 370 million euros in subsidies and 1,000 million euros in loans through the second half of 2024. Projects can extend beyond 2026, and there is ongoing work on a fourth financing line for PERTE. The plan envisions new highly efficient, decarbonized production facilities. A subsidy of 150 million euros together with a loan of 100 million euros will be available in this phase, according to officials.
Electro-intensive industries
The minister also highlighted additional measures aimed at helping electro-intensive industries lower energy costs. These include maintaining 80 percent of toll relief for affected sectors and expanding aid to compensate for rising CO2 emissions, which are set to increase by 25 percent this year to 300 million euros. This package underscores the government’s commitment to the energy transition within the industrial sector and the development of net-zero emission industries.
The minister urged stakeholders to seize the moment to advance net-zero emission industries across Europe and Spain. Local leaders are guiding this major transformation by developing their own industrial technologies and capabilities while facilitating the broader energy transition for the entire sector.
To support these goals, common positions were reached on the Net Zero Industry Law and the Critical Raw Materials Directive during Spain’s most recent EU presidency. Regulations are designed to promote net-zero emission technologies, include incentives to boost Europe’s industrial competitiveness, and provide greater investment security in clean technologies. The aim is to increase green-tech production and expand the distribution of zero-emission technologies across Europe.
Lastly, the President of Industry invited attendees to volunteer and collaborate across all sectors to advance emission reductions. The message was clear: the path to ecological transition requires broad participation from both public and private actors. The minister emphasized that the task of strengthening industry’s share of GDP was entrusted to the ministry by the head of government, and that a strategy aligned with climate action and innovation would be essential for success across Europe.