The Directorate of Innovation, Industry, Trade and Tourism announced a substantial investment of 210 million euros to promote renewable energy in the Valencian Community, alongside new measures meant to speed up regulatory procedures. These initiatives were unveiled by Minister Nuria Montes and Manuel Argüelles, Director General of Energy and Mining, during Phase III at the opening session of the National Renewable Energies Congress, held under the banner Energy Revolution 2024. The conference took place at Valencia Caixaforum and was organized by the Valencia Energy Sector Association of Companies (Avaesen).
Before professionals from the energy sector and leaders of major companies, the Valencia government representative spoke about the central challenge ahead: maintaining order in a sector long plagued by fragmentation. He pointed to the current situation as the result of a legacy left by Botànic, noting the difficulties with photovoltaic parks connected to grids and hundreds of files stuck in various stages of processing, a reflection of a community that faced logistical and bureaucratic delays. [Source: Valencia Government Communications]
In discussing the path forward, the Innovation Minister emphasized a clear goal: accelerate progress. Projects that mitigate bankruptcy risk for successful actors caught between regulatory shifts and administrative hurdles were highlighted as priorities. The government aims to unlock 350 photovoltaic facilities within the Community, including 150 state-owned installations. Traffic and processing backlogs have been so severe that a government decree was required to prevent eight Alicante-region projects from expiring after years of stalled reviews. [Cited: Ministry of Innovation]
The administration outlined a plan to simplify administrative processes and foster a business-friendly climate. By doing so, it hopes to attract photovoltaic energy projects with the potential to generate billions in economic impact. A cleaner, cheaper energy profile for the Valencian Community could also attract a wide range of industrial investors to locate operations within the region.
Nuria Montes reiterated that the Consell will prioritize mature, economically viable technologies such as photovoltaic and wind energy. She added that diversification is essential and that there is room for renewable gases, notably biogas, within the energy mix.
Green hydrogen
The government signaled an incentive program from the Generalitat to advance green hydrogen initiatives. The Valencia Green Hydrogen Pact will align key stakeholders across production and potential application sectors. The plan references the Castellón ceramic cluster, which faces significant energy costs, as a focal point for collaborative action. [Attribution: Valencian Green Energy Initiative]
There is a stated objective to become a regional hub for green hydrogen exports to Europe, reinforcing energy sovereignty and forging strategic alliances with European Union partners. The council highlighted the importance of collaboration among leading storage operators, panel manufacturers, inverters, and energy producers. Combined with effective management support, these strengths are seen as enabling the Valencian Community to emerge as a national energy leader, delivering competitiveness and resilience for local companies while addressing the needs of businesses that settled in response to external geopolitical events. [Source: Regional Economic Council]