Led by Iberdrola España, the Q-Cero Alliance has brought together representatives of the blue economy sector in Vigo to analyse the role of decarbonisation in Galician industry

The conference, organised by ANFACO-CYTMA and the Q-Cero Alliance in collaboration with Iberdrola España and the Xunta de Galicia, has provided an opportunity to explore the challenges and opportunities of the energy transition
The decarbonisation of the blue economy through electrification offers a major opportunity to improve competitiveness and strengthen energy security in the sector
The roll-out of networks and the adoption of a tax system that does not penalise electricity compared to fossil fuels are key to driving the decarbonisation of heating

Smart Grids

Panel discussion at event on decarbonization in blue bioeconomy with speakers and moderator on stage.

The event, held in collaboration with the Galicia region and Iberdrola España, took place at the headquarters of the Círculo de Empresarios de Galicia.

ANFACO-CYTMA and the Q-Cero Alliance — an initiative launched by Iberdrola España to accelerate the decarbonisation of heat in industry — organised a conference today in Vigo to analyse the opportunities offered by electrification and the reduction of the carbon footprint in Galicia's blue economy.

The event, held in collaboration with the Galicia region and Iberdrola España, took place at the headquarters of the Círculo de Empresarios de Galicia. Entitled "Descarbonización en la Bioeconomía Azul", it brought together institutional representatives, industrial companies, shipowners and port infrastructure managers as well as energy and climate change experts. All agreed on the urgent need to advance the ecological transition within Galicia's productive sector. They also shared solutions applied to activities in the maritime-industrial sector, aquaculture, the fishing fleet, port logistics, refrigeration and carbon footprint management.

Roberto Alonso, Secretary-General of ANFACO, María Borrás, President of the Círculo de Empresarios, and Francisco Silva, Iberdrola España's institutional representative in Galicia, opened the event. The Mayor of Vigo, Abel Caballero, and the Regional Minister for the Sea, Marta Villaverde, closed the meeting.

The role of electrical networks in Galicia

The first presentation focused on the voluntary carbon credit scheme promoted by the Galicia region's government. This was followed by several round-table discussions on sustainability in primary production, addressing issues such as energy efficiency in aquaculture, the eco-efficiency of the fishing fleet and the role of green ports.

Another round table analysed the transformation of decarbonised 'blue protein' with contributions focusing on efficient refrigeration, the electrification of industrial processes and the reduction of the carbon footprint of seafood products. Finally the event concluded with an analysis of the role of electrical networks in Galicia as a key element in advancing the electrification process.

César Muñoz, Head of Climate Change at the Q-Cero Alliance, noted that "the conference had highlighted electrification and decarbonisation as drivers of competitiveness and energy security for industry. Using real-world examples, the event showcased solutions that are already viable, alongside the role of R&D and new technologies in accelerating their roll-out. All of this is underpinned by the development of electrical networks and the adoption of a tax system that does not penalise electricity compared to fossil fuels, as key elements in scaling up this transformation".

Economic opportunity

The energy system is undergoing a technological transformation led by electricity. Renewable energies are establishing themselves as the primary option for generating energy on a global scale, not only for use in traditional electrical applications, but also in sectors such as transport and the generation of heat for industry and buildings. The development of solutions such as thermal storage, electric mobility and heat pumps has contributed to this. This process enables progress towards the decarbonisation of key sectors in the Galician and national economies. This transition also offers a major economic and employment opportunity for Galicia.

The Secretary-General of ANFACO emphasised that "this meeting demonstrates the commitment of the entire maritime-industrial chain to a realistic energy transition, based on the sector's competitiveness and expertise, with ANFACO-CYTMA acting as a meeting point between the fish processing sector and companies leading the region's electrification. To move forward we need technological solutions, sufficient networks and infrastructure and public-private support mechanisms that enable companies to undertake the necessary investments without compromising their production capacity". He also stressed that "this transition must be approached with ambition, but also with realism, taking into account the characteristics and different paces of each activity".

For her part the Circle's president María Borrás pointed out that "there are sectors that have been doing what we now call the energy transition for decades. Fishing, aquaculture, the industry that processes what the sea provides: all of them know that the ocean does not negotiate; it gives what it can give. And that culture of living within limits is, at heart, what decarbonisation is all about". She also emphasised that "Galicia accounts for more than half of Spain's fisheries exports. This is not merely a regional peculiarity; it is a position that compels us to be leaders. When a sector of this scale has to transform its processes to remain competitive in markets that already require carbon footprint certification, the question is not whether to do so, but when and at what cost".

The speakers highlighted the potential to develop industrial capabilities in the manufacture of goods linked to decarbonisation, renewable energy infrastructure and advanced engineering services, building on a solid industrial base and access to competitive energy.

Protecting the environment

The decarbonisation of heating is necessary to protect the environment, but also to increase energy self-sufficiency and reduce imports of fossil fuels.

To accelerate this transition the Q-Cero Alliance launched two years ago under the impetus of the Centre for Innovation in Technology for Human Development at the Polytechnic University of Madrid (itdUPM), the Tecnalia technology centre and Iberdrola España. However Q-Cero's focus is on thermal energy consumers in the industrial sector. The Alliance was established as a shared platform open to all stakeholders, where organisations can come together, discuss the current situation, showcase achievements, identify bottlenecks and develop proposals and activities that enable them to move away from dependence on fossil fuels whilst maintaining competitiveness — by capitalising on and helping to realise the benefits of the energy transition.

More than 160 organisations have so far joined the Q–Cero Alliance, including ANFACO-CYTMA, as a leading organisation in the seafood sector, and Iberdrola España.

Led by Iberdrola España, the Q-Cero Alliance has brought together representatives of the blue economy sector in Vigo to analyse the role of decarbonisation in Galician industry

Led by Iberdrola España, the Q-Cero Alliance has brought together representatives of the blue economy sector in Vigo to analyse the role of decarbonisation in Galician industry

Iberdrola España launches electrical safety training programme for the Civil Guard in Valladolid

Iberdrola España presenta el plan Albufera para aumentar la resiliencia de la red eléctrica en la Comunidad Valenciana

Basque Government minister presents Grid4Industry, the new digital generation of industrial electrical networks, at Iberdrola España's corporate headquarters in Bilbao

We are celebrating 125 years together