On June 15th, there was a presentation of the report “The solar thermal industry as an economic engine in Spain”, prepared by PwC for Protermosolar, which discussed the potential of solar thermal technology in the context of the European Recovery and Resilience Plan and the objectives of the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC) 2021-2030.
National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC) 2021-2030, defines the objectives of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, penetration of renewable energies and energy efficiency. It determines the lines of action and the path that, according to the models used, is the most appropriate and efficient, maximizing the opportunities and benefits for the economy, employment, health and the environment; minimizing costs and respecting the needs of adaptation to the most CO-intensive sectors.
The thermal solar plants in Spain are characterized by being located in municipalities of the “emptied Spain” affected by depopulation, unemployment and with income levels lower than the national average.
The economic impact of these facilities helps boost local economic development in municipalities at higher risk of depopulation and most economically vulnerable.
The initial development of the solar thermal energy has been focused in the electricity generation with large companies such as Abengoa, ACS, Cobra in the Spanish market. New developments in the solar thermal industry have facilitated the increment of the application of the solar thermal energy beyond the electricity generation to heat generation. This is the underpinned concept idea of ASTEP, development of innovative technological advances to provide heating and cooling to industry using solar thermal energy, SHIP (Solar Heat for Industrial Processes).
