The national and international success showcased at Wind Europe 2024 highlights the sector’s growth in the archipelago in the coming years.
Teresa Ribera, Minister for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge, announced the creation of the Spanish Wind Industry Charter during Wind Europe 2024. This charter, aligned with the European Wind Energy Charter signed last December, includes changes to wind energy auctions and permit concessions. Canarias aims to be Spain’s first community to implement these auctions, a goal reinforced at the Wind Europe event, the industry’s main expo held in Bilbao.
This development has attracted major players like Naturgy-Equinor, Ferrovial, RWE, Iberdrola, and Navantia to Canarias. The opportunities arising have been seized by the archipelago’s delegation at Wind Europe 2024, representing the autonomous community in this third edition of the expo.
The public-private collaboration in this ecosystem has been vital, leveraging the archipelago’s potential under the unified brand of Canary Islands Wind Energy Destination. During two intense days, the Canarian delegation held meetings, with over 16 private companies’ representatives from Canarias participating, along with institutional representatives from various public bodies. The Canarias stand was a focal point for many visiting companies with expectations for Canarias’ future offshore wind farm, the first in Spain.
For Gustavo González de Vega, Vice Minister of Economy and Internationalization for the Government of the Canary Islands, the expo was a resounding success, with more meetings held than anticipated and palpable interest from participants in Canarias.
Julieta Cristina Schallenberg Rodríguez, Vice Minister of Ecological Transition and Energy for the Government of Canarias, highlighted the positive outcomes of the meetings, emphasizing the institutional value of the expo, where representatives from countries like Denmark, Norway, and the United Kingdom were engaged.
She also underscored Canarias’ opportunities in this emerging sector, expressing hope that Canarias will lead Spain in developing offshore marine wind energy. This leadership position aligns with Canarias’ goals of decarbonization and promotes its economic and industrial development, crucial for the islands.