Industrial competitiveness: the strategic role of electrical networks in Spain
Spain’s industrial competitiveness increasingly depends on modern, efficient electricity infrastructure. Investment in electrical networks is essential to enable reindustrialisation, improve efficiency, attract new investment to the country and guarantee greater energy autonomy.
How electrical networks strengthen industrial competitiveness in Spain
Spain is at a pivotal moment as it seeks to consolidate its position as a leading European industrial power. However, for this opportunity to materialise, it is essential for the country to invest in the infrastructure that makes this reindustrialisation and economic modernisation possible: electrical networks.
Reindustrialisation and the promotion of industrial competitiveness in Spain
In recent years, industrial requests for connection to the electricity network in Spain have increased tenfold. Attracted by low renewable electricity prices and the high quality of supply, industries are choosing to invest in our country. This translates into potential development, technology, employment, wealth and tax revenue.
Investing in electrical networks is essential to connect all these industries, meet digitalisation needs and support the development of new housing. Without networks there is no electrification and without electrification there is no reindustrialisation.
Industrial competitiveness: the impact of insufficient investment in electrical networks
Despite the competitive advantages of renewable energy and the high quality of electricity supply in Spain, which attract industries from around the world, investment in electrical networks is not keeping pace and does not provide sufficient capacity to connect them.
This is creating bottlenecks and making it harder to connect new projects, leading to frustration among citizens, businesses and local authorities.
If we fail to correct this situation, companies that are currently exploring locations for their production centres in Spain will choose other countries with networks available for connection. As a result, we could miss the opportunity to consolidate our position as an industrial leader in Europe due to something we have known how to do for more than 100 years: electrical networks.
Energy autonomy as a pillar for boosting industrial competitiveness
Until now, a lack of electricity infrastructure that holds back economic growth and private investment has been more characteristic of developing countries than developed ones. For this reason, we must act swiftly to change the rules that have led us to this situation and reverse it.
Moreover, every euro invested in modernising the network generates around €10 in economic activity, employment and tax revenue, increases the security and autonomy of our country and strengthens territorial cohesion. These infrastructures help attract companies, drive economic development in rural areas and democratise access to and production of energy.
The European Commission has already recognised this challenge as a priority and has placed networks at the centre of its policy agenda. Germany, France and Italy are investing billions to reinforce their electricity infrastructure. In this context, Spain cannot afford to fall behind. Policies and regulation are needed that recognise the strategic value of networks in our country, allow companies to invest with a long-term vision and do not prevent access to electricity for anyone willing to invest in Spain.
The industrial value chain associated with electrical networks and its impact on competitiveness
Over recent decades, Spain has developed an industrial value chain around electrical networks that is a benchmark in Europe. We manufacture transformers, insulators, cables, smart meters, control systems and management software. We also have engineering firms, installers, R&D centres and specialised universities. This value chain creates tens of thousands of skilled jobs and exports technology worldwide.
For this reason, if we do not invest in networks and focus solely on cutting spending on electricity infrastructure, this value chain will disappear. In doing so, we would not only be giving up the opportunity to attract new industry and make existing industry viable by enabling its modernisation but also risking the loss of the industrial chain we already have linked to electricity, which is a global leader.
Iberdrola España’s vision: electrical networks for greater energy autonomy and reindustrialisation
At Iberdrola España, we believe that investment in electrical networks is not an expense but a strategic investment for our country. Having the right electricity infrastructure in place supports Spain’s economic development.
Investing in electrical networks means investing in employment, innovation and competitiveness and, at the same time, in an industrial, digital Spain that is connected to the future.
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