The steady flow of foreign investment confirms Spain’s position as one of Europe’s leading destinations for renewable energy projects. According to figures presented at the annual meeting of the Spanish Energy Club, the country ranks second in Europe for foreign investment and fourth globally in sustainability.

These results reflect growing international confidence in Spain’s regulatory framework, technological diversity and the competitiveness of its electricity system — factors that have positioned it at the heart of Europe’s energy transition.

Spain’s role is further strengthened by a strategy centred on smart grids, energy storage and new industrial capacities linked to hydrogen and digitalisation.

In recent weeks, several public‑private agendas with Asia have underscored this international projection: Galicia completed an official mission to Japan to attract industrial investment; APPA Renovables promoted Spanish participation in the EU Business Hub Japan‑Korea programme and in China’s Battery Tour (13–17 October); and the Basque Hydrogen Corridor continues its collaboration with Japan through Basque Trade & Investment, JETRO and the Energy Cluster, with further joint actions planned for 2025 around hydrogen and its value chain.

As Europe seeks energy autonomy and resilience, the Iberian Peninsula emerges as a key space for green reindustrialisation. Spain and Portugal share a unique advantage: abundant natural resources, mature infrastructure and sustained political will that allow them to accelerate decarbonisation and attract international capital.

The international expansion of Spain’s renewable sector has found in Asia a strategic partner. According to Javier Muñoz, General Director of APPA Renovables, recent trade missions and institutional meetings with Japan, Korea, China and Thailand illustrate an increasingly solid relationship between complementary markets.

“Spain has reached a level of maturity that allows it to share regulatory and technological experience with countries in earlier stages of their energy transition,” Muñoz explained.

In this exchange, Asian countries contribute industrial and technological capacity that strengthens the Spanish value chain, while Spain’s regulatory know‑how and experience in renewable integration consolidate its position as an international benchmark.

Japan and Korea stand out for their expertise in engineering and digital networks; China for its photovoltaic and components industry; and Thailand for its bioenergy development based on agricultural resources. These strengths complement the Spanish ecosystem in fields such as renewable hydrogen, storage and smart‑grid management.

Opportunities and benefits for Spanish industry

The rapprochement with Asia marks a turning point in the internationalisation of Spain’s renewable sector. Muñoz noted that this exchange not only opens new markets but also redefines the industrial scope of clean energy: “We are moving from exporting projects to exporting knowledge. Sharing our regulatory and technical experience positions us as preferred partners in a global context that values stability and innovation.”

Collaborations with Asia aim to strengthen complementary value chains. Speaking to Strategic Energy Europe, the head of APPA Renovables explained that many Spanish companies are joining consortia for offshore wind tenders in Japan and Korea, while others are developing components and smart systems with Asian manufacturers already investing in plants within Spain. “Technology transfer is becoming a two‑way street: they provide industrial capacity, and we contribute design, regulation and integration expertise,” he said.

Within this framework, renewable hydrogen and bioenergy stand out as strategic cooperation axes. Thailand offers opportunities linked to its agricultural base, while Japan and Korea demand solutions for green‑origin certification and advanced logistics — areas where Spanish firms are beginning to excel.

“These alliances not only create contracts and jobs but also reinforce Spain’s image as a country capable of leading energy innovation through international collaboration,” Muñoz concluded.