The Energy sector in the Community of Madrid
The Community of Madrid, a leader in the energy sector, is at the forefront of the transition
to sustainability with a growing number of renewable energy projects, electric mobility,
and technological innovation, establishing itself as a key hub for the industry in Spain
and the EU
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Madrid, a key place for companies in the Energy sector
The Community of Madrid is a key place for companies in the Energy sector in Spain. The region concentrates 26% of employment in the sector at the national level and 5.2% in Europe.
In the Renewable Energies industry the region has important offices and headquarters of leading companies that develop business, engineering and R&D on solar and wind projects, such as Acciona, Iberdrola, Repsol, Endesa, Enagas, Moeve, Naturgy, Siemens Gamesa, Sener, Empresarios Agrupados or CT-Ingenieros. In 2024, the number of projects in this area has grown almost seven times compared to 2020, reaching 2,133 projects. This industry represents 35% of total industrial projects in the region.
Regarding Smart Grids and Storage, startups stand out such as Wiyo, the first platform to develop a system that provides IoT-based data. In the Electric mobility field, Madrid is a key hub for the development of charging infrastructures and electric fleets. In addition, the Madrid City Council offers incentives for the adoption of less polluting vehicles, such as the Cambia 360 Aid Plan.
Madrid promotes collaborative projects between universities, companies and the government to accelerate the energy transition and improve sustainability in the sector. This is the case of ecological and energy transition consortia funded within the four-year calls of Community of Madrid in the R&D program in Technologies. The ICMM-CSIC, IMDEA Energy, CIEMAT, INTA, Carlos III University, and Polytechnical University of Madrid, all of them part of Hydrogen Europe Research promote research in clean hydrogen. In addition IMDEA Energy is leading the TC5 of Hydrogen Europe Research on Cross-cutting issues. Also it is worth to mention the Technological Innovation Hub Madrid vuela sostenible (Madrid flies sustainable) developing sustainable and less polluting fuels for aviation (led by IMDEA Energy, Repsol, Ariema and Evoenzyme with the advice of companies such as Airbus, Iberia, Técnicas Reunidas and Tolsa).
Research, Talent and Public Action
Madrid leads research into green hydrogen technologies, energy storage and digitalisation of electricity grids, thanks to institutions such as the Research Centre for Energy, Environment and Technology (CIEMAT), IMDEA Energy Institute, CEU-San Pablo University, Technical University of Madrid (UPM), the National Institute for Aerospace Technology (INTA) and Carlos III University (UC3M). These institutions work together in the GREENH2-CM project, whose lines of action include the development of innovative technologies for the production of hydrogen by electrolysis at low and high temperatures, the optimisation of efficiency in hydrogen use in fuel cells and turbines and the analysis of economical and social impact for the region.
Qualified talent is a pillar for the Energy sector. Academic training of excellence is offered by institutions like UPM, with programs in Energy Engineering, focusing on renewable energies and sustainability or The Master's Degree in Photovoltaic Solar Energy. Other relevant institutions promoting qualified talent in applied research and advanced training in energy technologies are IMDEA Energy Institute, the Higher Technical School of Industrial Engineers and the Campus of International Excellence Intelligent Energy in the fields of bioenergy and smart infrastructures. The campus includes Rey Juan Carlos University (URJC) and University of Alcalá, relying on the extensive experience offered by Spanish multinational companies like Repsol and Ferrovial, public research bodies like CIEMAT and IMDEA Energy and public National institutions like IDAE, which has Innovative programmes in areas such as Agrivoltaics with storage, Floating Photovoltaics or Integration of renewables. In addition, the Green Energy Hub is a Public-private initiative involving main Energy companies with the objective of developing professional skills necessary for the Energy transition, promoting sustainable employment.
The region is adopting ambitious policies for the energy transition, attracting national and international companies interested in participating in renewable energy, energy efficiency and technological research projects. The Energy, Climate and Air Strategy 2023-2030 has the aim of transforming the region into a decarbonised, energy-safe area with excellent air quality. The region offers various grants to improve energy efficiency aimed at improving technologies in industrial equipment and processes, as well as the implementation of energy management systems, facilitating the modernisation and optimisation of resources. Programmes such as the NextGenerationEU funds and the PNIEC finance energy transition projects, while the Regional Government offers incentives for investment in renewables and energy technology. In addition, the Energy Foundation of the Community of Madrid is a non-profit organization contributing to the development of regional energy policy, promoting the optimal management of energy resources, the rational use of energy, energy savings and efficiency.
Outstanding projects in Madrid within the Energy sector are: Canal de Isabel II Solar Plan with the construction of 12 photovoltaic plants at its facilities, Energy, Climate and Air Strategy 2023-2030 with the aim of aligning its policies with national and European guidelines on the subject, Madrid Subterra with the installation of underground energy systems, transforming the capital into a model of sustainability, the Energy Efficiency Plan for Municipal Buildings to provide energy sustainability to municipal offices through innovative technological solutions, etc.
A consolidated startup ecosystem
Madrid is home to 307 Energy startups founded in recent years, 25% of the national total. Only in 2024 these companies have raised €45M and have created 3,700 new jobs, with a total of 10,700 jobs, one of the highest annual growths recorded in the region.
In terms of the investment raised, in first position is the photovoltaic company Ekhi Energy (€100M), followed by Samara, Alga Energy, Energy Solar Tech; Geodesic and Nomad Solar Energy.
Energy Startups in Madrid
Some prominent Energy Agents in Madrid
Main Energy Events in Madrid
GENERA International Fair for Energy and the Environment
Farmaforum. Forum of the Pharmaceutical, Biopharmaceutical and Laboratory Technologies Industry
Fisioexpo. Technologies related to physiotherapy
The Energy sector
The Energy sector encompasses all activities related to the generation, distribution and consumption of energy. This sector includes traditional sources such as oil, natural gas, and coal, as well as renewable sources such as solar, wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal energy. It also includes research and development of advanced energy technologies, such as storage batteries and green hydrogen.
Currently, the sector is in a stage of profound transformation driven by the global energy transition. This change seeks to reduce carbon emissions, increase energy efficiency and promote the use of renewable sources, in line with international climate objectives such as the Paris Agreement. Its implementation implies the gradual overcoming of fossil energies (coal, oil and gas), the beginning of the reign of renewable energies (solar photovoltaic, wind, biomass, hydro, biofuels...), and reversing the traditional trend of growing at the cost of polluting more.
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