Approved the Industry and Strategic Autonomy Law
The Government has approved the Industry and Strategic Autonomy Law to modernize the industrial sector, promote digitalization, and move towards net-zero emissions by 2050. The law strengthens strategic autonomy, fosters innovation, and protects industrial property, with a particular focus on SMEs. Additionally, it promotes process digitalization and coordination between administrations through the State Council for Industrial Policy and the Sectoral Conference on Industry and SMEs.
Support measures have been established for energy-intensive industries, along with administrative simplification to attract investments. SEPIDES has also been transformed into a public entity to manage strategic industrial funds.
New Industry and Strategic Autonomy Law Approved
In a bold move to strengthen the competitiveness and resilience of the industrial sector, the Government has approved the Industry and Strategic Autonomy Law. This initiative, aligned with the vision of a modern, digital, and green economy, aims to increase the industry’s share in the Spanish economy, boost employment, and facilitate the transition to sustainable and net-zero emission production processes by 2050.
The new regulation establishes the legal framework for the organization of the industrial sector and defines coordination criteria between public administrations. Through this, the Government seeks not only to strengthen Spain’s industrial presence in the European market but also to ensure the free movement of goods, respect for the freedom of establishment, and market unity—key elements for fostering a competitive and secure environment.
The approval of the Industry and Strategic Autonomy Law marks a milestone in Spain’s industrial policy, laying the foundation for a deep and sustained transformation of the sector, with measures ranging from promoting innovation and digitalization to ensuring investments.
A Comprehensive Strategy for Industry
One of the law’s central objectives is to promote greater strategic autonomy and resilience within the country’s industrial base. Measures are included to develop talent and industrial culture, protect industrial property, and encourage the adoption of technologies and innovations, particularly those linked to ecological transition and clean technologies. Strategic projects will be promoted to drive industrial growth and internationalization, with special attention to SMEs.
Digital transformation is another key pillar of the law. It aims to digitalize not only production processes but also the services and infrastructure supporting the sector, enabling adaptation to structural changes and enhancing competitiveness. This is in line with the goal of achieving a net-zero industrial sector, balancing productive activity with environmental protection and energy transition.
Governance and Administrative Coordination
The Industry and Strategic Autonomy Law introduces essential governance mechanisms to coordinate actions between the General State Administration and regional governments:
- Spain’s Industry and Strategic Autonomy Strategy: This document outlines the general guidelines and core policies of the industrial strategy. It will be developed following consultations with regional governments and economic and social stakeholders.
- The National Industry and Strategic Autonomy Plan: The Government’s instrument for implementing the strategy, valid for three years. It includes programs for improving industrial competitiveness, digitalization, innovation, collaborative environments, training, and strategic autonomy.
- The State Council for Industrial Policy (CEPI): A consultative body that coordinates the Government’s actions in implementing the plan. It will include representatives from ministerial departments with at least the rank of Secretary of State or Undersecretary.
- The Sectoral Conference on Industry and SMEs: A cooperation body between the General State Administration and regional governments on matters regulated by this law.
- The High-Level Forum for Spanish Industry: A collegiate body with functional autonomy that advises the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Tourism (MINTUR) on industrial policy and strategic autonomy. Its composition will be determined by ministerial order and will include representatives from MINTUR and economic and social actors from the national industrial sector.
Measures for Industrial Modernization and Security
The law also introduces specific measures to protect and modernize the industrial sector. For example, special protections are established for energy-intensive industries, such as electricity and gas facilities. These companies will receive support to facilitate the decarbonization of their processes and implement an effective energy transition, requiring them to develop long-term energy efficiency and ecological transition plans.
Another major advancement is the introduction of a tool to accelerate investment in large-scale industrial projects. This measure, alongside support for strategic industrial ecosystems, will allow for the granting of public aid without competitive bidding and the creation of working groups focused on administrative simplification. New Strategic Projects for Economic Recovery and Transformation (PERTEs) may be recognized beyond the current Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan (PRTR), as long as they align with at least one strategic industrial ecosystem or a designated strategic challenge.
Transformation of SEPIDES and Strengthening of the Recovery Plan
As part of this industrial development policy, the Council of Ministers has also approved the transformation of SEPIDES into a state-owned enterprise under the new name State Industrial Promotion and Business Development Corporation. This transformation aims to optimize the management of funds dedicated to promoting and developing the industrial sector. With extensive experience in supporting the industry, SEPIDES will now oversee new calls for PERTE projects, including the fourth call for the Electric and Connected Vehicle PERTE, the Agri-Food PERTE, and the Industrial Decarbonization PERTE.
Furthermore, the second phase of the Recovery Plan addendum seeks to consolidate the country’s strategic reindustrialization through the mobilization of more than €10 billion in additional transfers (€7.7 billion from the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism and more than €2.6 billion from the REPowerEU program), in addition to up to €84 billion in loans.
With these resources, the Recovery Plan is expected to mobilize a total of approximately €160 billion in grants and loans between 2021 and 2026, representing over 12% of GDP. This investment will be complemented by other funds from the 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework, including €36 billion in structural funds.
Take Advantage of New Opportunities for Your Business
The new law marks a turning point in the industrial sector, driving modernization, digitalization, and sustainability. Additionally, it will be key to accessing future public funding opportunities.
At artica+i, we leverage our expertise in project management consulting to help you access public incentives and funding. We assist you in identifying, processing, and managing strategic industrial projects to maximize the impact of your investments.
- Technical Consulting and Engineering: We enhance your company’s profitability and competitiveness with solutions in energy efficiency, digitalization, and Industry 4.0. We also help optimize your investments in Energy Efficiency through Energy Savings Certificates (CAEs), which can be monetized.
- Innovation Consulting: We support the internal R&D+i teams of our clients in identifying funding sources, submitting project proposals, and finding the most suitable partners to structure collaborative R&D+i projects.
- Automation and Digitalization: We guide you through the implementation of a continuous improvement cycle, enabling you to adopt customized digital solutions and advance towards the Digital Industry.
