Complementary Plan for Renewable Energy and Hydrogen

By project UNIFHY

Published on 01 April 2025

Spain

About this good practice

In order to implement R&D actions that address common priorities for the state plan and the regional plans, the Spanish Law on Science, Technology and Innovation has introduced an improved governance that allows the collaboration between the Government of Spain and the Autonomous Communities. The aim is to create synergies, align the implementation of funds, and establish common priorities.

There are eight areas of scientific-technical interest, from which this practice will focus on the Renewable Energy and Green Hydrogen programme. Its objective is to develop strategic actions based on hydrogen to transform the current energy paradigm and minimise greenhouse gas emissions. Extremadura is addressing two key actions of those identified as strategic:

- The first is the low-temperature generation of green hydrogen from renewable energy.
- The second is the use of hydrogen in the industrial and domestic sectors using fuel batteries.

The main stakeholders are the regional governments participating in this research, in particular the Government of Extremadura; the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and the University of Extremadura as the main beneficiary. There is a Scientific Committee in charge of coordinating the research actions that is composed by regional representatives and led by the director of the National Hydrogen Centre. It meets periodically to assess the progress made and identify new opportunities for collaboration.

Expert opinion

The Complementary Plan represents a good practice for improved governance and collaboration between different levels of governance to align priorities and identify synergies. The practice aligns well with EU policy goals, as well as stimulating regional economic development. Other regions can learn from the approach, bringing together organisations from their research and innovation community to jointly identify priorities and plan strategic actions.

Simon Hunkin

Works at Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform

Resources needed

The total budget dedicated to the entire Renewable Energy and Green Hydrogen programme is EUR 92 million. As the governance, the funding also results from the collaboration of MRR funds (EUR 71 mill.) and ERDF funds (EUR 21 mill.). Extremadura has been assigned EUR 4 million (65% MRR + 35% ERDF).

Evidence of success

The success remains in the pilot projects developed in the University of Extremadura. The main one is a pilot plant for generation of green hydrogen from a 50kW PV installation, using low-temperature electrolysis. It also analyses the behaviour of the system connected to batteries and supercapacitors, and to evaluate the operation of the electrolyser at different levels of performance. The hydrogen produced is also being tested in a boiler, analysing its emissions, efficiency and security.

Potential for learning or transfer

The Complementary Plans, as well as a financial mechanism, proves the success of an improved governance that takes advantage of the research capabilities and singular infrastructures of several Spanish regions, including public research organizations and private companies.

Their implementation through two- or three-year programs, with co-financing commitments from the regional governments involved, generates synergies and drives regional economic transformation. It allows the creation of a research ecosystem in green hydrogen generation and potential uses, involving the entire value chain.

The programme was initially launched with the following regions: the Basque Country, Principality of Asturias, Aragon, Castilla La Mancha, Canary Islands, Navarre, Extremadura and Madrid, all supported by CSIC. Subsequently, Cantabria and Castilla y León joined following the Agreement of the Council for Scientific, Technological and Innovation Policy of 22 June 2022.

Further information