Basque Industry Decarbonisation Forum explores the opportunities presented by the European Clean Industrial Deal for the Basque Country

• The Basque Industry Decarbonisation Forum has become a key platform for collaboration, bringing together industrial clusters and the Basque Government to engage in discussions on technological solutions for decarbonisation. 

• Mikel Jauregi, Basque Government Minister for Industry, Energy Transition, and Sustainability, stated: "We are dedicated to the intelligent decarbonisation of industry. Since 1990, we have achieved a 45% reduction in industrial emissions, yet we remain self-demanding and are not complacent. Our focus is on reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. Europe’s commitment to the Clean Industry Deal is also the Basque Country’s commitment, and the new Industrial Plan we are developing aligns with these objectives.” 

• The fifth edition of the Basque Industry Decarbonisation Forum centred on the Clean Industrial Deal, the European Commission’s legislative initiative designed to enhance industry competitiveness and expedite its transition to climate neutrality.

The Basque Industry Decarbonisation Forum convened for its fifth session today at the Bilbao Exhibition Center (BEC), marking a significant milestone since its inception in 2023. The event brought together key industrial clusters from the DCARTECH Alliance, including Aclima, AFV, Energy Cluster, Paper Cluster, Siderex, ACICAE, and HEGAN, in collaboration with the Basque Government, represented by SPRI—the coordinating body of the Net Zero Basque Industrial Super Cluster initiative.

With over 140 registered participants from 90 organisations, the Forum has cemented its role as a platform for fostering collaboration between the supply and demand of technological solutions for decarbonisation.

The primary focus of this meeting was the newly introduced Clean Industrial Deal, the European Commission’s legislative framework designed to enhance the competitiveness of European industries while accelerating their transition towards climate neutrality. Through a series of presentations and roundtable discussions, the Forum analysed the implications and opportunities this European strategy holds for the Basque industrial sector in meeting decarbonisation challenges.

As emphasised by Mikel Jauregi, Basque Government Minister for Industry, Energy Transition, and Sustainability, in his closing remarks, "Decarbonisation represents both a challenge and an opportunity for Basque industry.” He highlighted the region's substantial progress, with a 45% reduction in industrial emissions since 1990, and reaffirmed the Basque Country's commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, aligning with the broader European ambitions of the Clean Industrial Deal. Jauregi underscored that the Basque approach will focus on intelligent decarbonisation, working in partnership with industry to ensure a balanced and competitive transition that promotes clean manufacturing within the EU. "We have the technology and innovation to achieve this," he added.

Fifth Decarbonisation Forum

The event was opened by Jose Ignacio Hormaeche, Director General of the Energy Cluster, and Irantzu Allende, Basque Deputy Minister for Energy Transition, who underscored the collaborative efforts in driving the decarbonisation of Basque industry.

Following this, Cristina Oyón, Deputy Director General of SPRI Group, provided an update on the progress of the Net-Zero Basque Industrial Super Cluster, outlining key advancements in the initiative. 

Jose Luis Elejalde, Director of Tecnalia’s Energy, Climate, and Urban Transition division, presented the Q-Zero Alliance, a collaborative initiative led by Iberdrola, itdUPM, and Tecnalia, focused on accelerating the decarbonisation of thermal energy demand in industry and buildings. The alliance, which boasts over 100 members, aims to provide a forum for discussing challenges, showcasing achievements, and formulating proposals to decarbonise heat in different sectors, all while maintaining competitiveness and leveraging opportunities in the ongoing energy transition.

Gonzalo Sáenz de Miera, Director of Climate Change and Alliances at Iberdrola, highlighted the pivotal role of electrification in the strategy outlined by the Clean Industrial Deal, emphasising its importance in ensuring competitive and affordable energy in Europe and enhancing energy autonomy.

Later, Ursula Woodburn, Director of Corporate Leaders Groups Europe, delved into the key elements of the newly published Clean Industrial Deal, with a particular focus on the sectors and strategic priorities that align with the goals of the Net-Zero Basque Industrial Super Cluster.

The Forum also featured a report by Marta Sánchez, partner and leader of Ernst & Young’s Energy Sector, titled “An Effective and Efficient Clean Industrial Deal for Europe”, which examined measures to expedite the decarbonisation of European industry while bolstering its competitiveness.

To conclude the Forum, a roundtable moderated by Jose Ignacio Hormaeche of the Energy Cluster gathered Emilio Hidalgo (Sidenor), Patxi Rodríguez (Fagor Ederlan), Asier Ochoa de Eribe (Heidelberg Materials), Iñaki Sánchez (Papresa) and Jose de la Sen (Sener), who discussed the potential impacts of the Clean Industrial Deal on the Basque industrial landscape. 

Net-Zero Basque Industrial Super Cluster

The Net-Zero Basque Industrial Super Cluster aims to expedite the transition of Basque industry to net-zero emissions, driving decarbonisation and energy efficiency while fostering market opportunities through technological development and innovation.

This initiative, championed by the Basque Government through SPRI Group - Basque Business Development Agency, involves key energy players such as Iberdrola and Petronor-Repsol, alongside industrial clusters representing high-emission sectors, with the Energy Cluster offering vital solutions for decarbonisation.