Decarbonizing industry has become one of the major challenges of the energy transition in Spain. Although the focus is often on the electricity sector, thermal demand and industrial processes still rely heavily on fossil fuels. To address this challenge, initiatives are emerging that combine renewable technologies , energy efficiency, and sustainable materials.
In recent months, several projects have received European and private funding to accelerate this shift. From injecting green hydrogen into gas networks to producing heat with biomass, and using low-emission steel, Spanish companies are taking concrete steps to reduce their carbon footprint . Below, we review some of the most noteworthy initiatives.
Green hydrogen and biomass: two bets for industry
One of the most ambitious projects is H2SAREA, led by Nortegas, which aims to demonstrate the feasibility of injecting renewable hydrogen into natural gas distribution networks . The initiative, which has received funding from the Basque Government's HAZITEK program, seeks to achieve a hydrogen blend of up to 20% without modifying existing infrastructure. This solution would allow the current gas network to be used to transport a cleaner fuel, reducing emissions in homes and industries.
In the biomass sector, RIVE Private Investment's acquisition of a stake in Rebi represents a boost for thermal decarbonization. Rebi, which specializes in biomass-fueled district heating networks, will expand its project portfolio to offer renewable heat solutions to industry. The company has been developing thermal generation systems for years that replace gas or diesel with biomass, an alternative already operational in several plants.
Sustainable materials and energy efficiency
Reducing emissions depends not only on energy but also on the materials used. Alfa Laval and Acerinox have signed an agreement to incorporate EcoACX stainless steel, manufactured with 90% recycled material and a 50% lower carbon footprint, into heat exchangers. This collaboration demonstrates that decarbonization can be achieved with low-carbon steel solutions already available on the market, without compromising on quality or performance.
Schneider Electric has presented its first-half sustainability results, showing an 82% reduction in its Scope 1 and 2 emissions compared to 2017. The company has also enabled its customers to save or electrify 129,5 million MWh , which translates to more than 50 million tons of CO2 avoided. These figures reflect the impact of energy efficiency solutions on industrial decarbonization.
Aid and funding for the transition
Financial support is key for these projects to succeed. The RENOCOGEN program, managed by IDAE, has selected 25 projects to replace fossil fuels with renewables in cogeneration and waste treatment plants, with an investment of €55,87 million. This funding, financed by NextGenerationEU, will enable the installation of approximately 145 MW of new renewable capacity and reduce dependence on natural gas and diesel.
Similarly, Nortegas' H2SAREA project has received funding from the HAZITEK program, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund. Public-private partnerships are thus becoming a key tool for driving innovation in decarbonization, as both the Basque Government and the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO) have pointed out.
In short, the decarbonization of Spanish industry is progressing on several fronts: green hydrogen, biomass, sustainable materials, and energy efficiency. With the support of European funds and the involvement of companies and government agencies, these projects demonstrate that it is possible to reduce emissions without sacrificing competitiveness . There is still a long way to go, but the initiatives already underway point the way forward.
