The industry is growing increasingly \u00a0impatient\u00a0. Almost a year has passed since the approval of Royal Decree 962\/2024<\/a>, intended to facilitate the development of \u00a0marine wind\u00a0 energy in Spain. Yet, the crucial ministerial order regulating the first auction remains absent, and no official timeline detailing subsequent steps has been released. In a sector that moves as swiftly as the \u00a0wind\u00a0, this inaction is becoming a significant concern.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A Call to Action<\/strong>. Both the \u00a0Wind Business Association\u00a0 (AEE) and the \u00a0Marine Wind Forum\u00a0 have united to convey a critical message to the government: \u00a0investments\u00a0 are at risk of relocating to other countries. In a joint statement, they demanded the immediate release of auction guidelines and a long-term plan that provides clarity. While Spain continues to lag, neighboring nations like \u00a0Portugal\u00a0, \u00a0France\u00a0, and \u00a0Morocco\u00a0 are progressing with defined models and concrete projects.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Potential Losses<\/strong>. According to AEE, the failure to advance could affect the creation of over \u00a07,500 jobs\u00a0 in coastal regions and negate contributions exceeding \u00a0\u20ac2 billion annually\u00a0 to Spain’s GDP. Furthermore, the chance for Spain to remain a leader in \u00a0floating wind\u00a0 technology\u2014where it has pioneered prominent prototypes\u2014might vanish if a stable local market is not established.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Spain possesses suitable \u00a0industrial capabilities\u00a0, well-equipped port infrastructure, and a proven technological background as the first developer of a floating prototype. It also has identified areas designated<\/a> for maritime development. However, without a local market that can ensure volume and sustainability, these advantages risk remaining untapped.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Continuous Delays<\/strong>. Earlier this year, Minister for Ecological Transition \u00a0Sara Aagesen\u00a0 announced that the government plans to initiate the first marine wind auction in \u00a02025\u00a0 and that an order detailing the auction bases would be published shortly. This commitment aligns with the goal of achieving an \u00a0installed capacity of 3 GW by 2030\u00a0, as outlined by the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC). Yet, today, the auction order remains unpublicized, marking a significant hurdle in the timeline.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Investments at Risk<\/strong>. The main obstacle is the absence of concrete signs and a structured roadmap for development. This has begun to pressure various companies\u2014as highlighted by AEE<\/a>\u2014to start diverting their investments away from Spain towards nations that provide more certainty and speed in their processes. Meanwhile, countries such as \u00a0Portugal\u00a0 are nearing the definition of their auction models, and \u00a0France\u00a0 has awarded a significant project in the \u00a0Mediterranean\u00a0, while also preparing additional parks in the \u00a0Bay of Biscay\u00a0. \u00a0Morocco\u00a0, on the other hand, has unveiled a \u00a01,000 MW\u00a0 offshore wind project aimed for 2029.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Currently, Spain has zero commercially operational marine kilowatts. Of the \u00a0278 MW of floating wind energy installed globally\u00a0, none is found in Spain, despite the country being instrumental in producing \u00a0exported components\u00a0. Furthermore, the wind sector urges that the \u00a0Institute for Diversification and Saving Energy\u00a0 (IDAE) pushes to modernize crucial infrastructure at ports like those in \u00a0A Coru\u00f1a\u00a0, \u00a0Castell\u00f3n\u00a0, and \u00a0Tarragona\u00a0. Without these logistics hubs being up to par, the entire value chain significantly weakens.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Canary Islands: A Prime Location<\/strong>. The \u00a0Canary Islands\u00a0 have emerged as an ideal location for initiating pilot auctions. Boasting consistent wind patterns, a solid logistics framework, political and societal consensus, and high electricity generation costs that could be drastically reduced through marine wind, the islands serve as the “logical spearhead” for commercial development of this technology, according to AEE.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Looking Ahead<\/strong>. The sector is eager for the Ministry to expedite the public consultation process for the ministerial order and to establish a straightforward timeline for upcoming auctions. Meanwhile, global markets show no signs of slowing down, with the latest data indicating that the offshore sector expanded by \u00a010%\u00a0 in 2024, reaching \u00a083.2 GW installed\u00a0.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Spain still has a viable opportunity to secure a leading role in the \u00a0European floating marine wind\u00a0 landscape. However, the window for action is closing. Announcements alone aren’t sufficient; what is needed are decisive actions, clear regulations, and strong political commitment to stimulate growth in this crucial sector. If the current environment remains unchanged, Spain risks losing its strategic positioning to other nations, potentially resulting in lost investment, jobs, and a critical opportunity to both \u00a0re-industrialize\u00a0 the economy and to advance toward energy transition goals.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Image | Unsplash<\/a><\/p>\n <img alt=\"Innovation in Wind Energy\" width=\"375\" height=\"142\" src=\"https:\/\/i.blogs.es\/da58db\/ps---plantilla-portadas-xtk\/375_142.png\"\/><\/code><\/pre>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n