María Jesús Lorenzana, Minister of Economy and Industry, recently appeared in the 3rd Committee, of Economy, Finance and Budgets of the Xunta de Galicia, to report on her department’s 2025 planning. He emphasized that the repowering of wind turbines It will extend the lifespan of a large number of wind farms.
The Minister of Economy and Industry, María Jesús Lorenzana, emphasized that, after an 18-month moratorium period for the start of the processing of the repowering tasks, will reduce the number of wind turbines by 80% oldest in Galicia, from 3,000 to 600 in eight years.
New wind plan to re-power wind turbines
In his appearance to explain the budgets of the Ministry of Economy and Industry for 2025, which increase by 7.6% to 374.4 million euros, Lorenzana explained that 100 parks that About 3,000 wind turbines older than 25 years will be forced to provide new energy.
It will be, he said, on the basis of what is laid down in the Law on Fiscal and Administrative Measures accompanying the Budgets, which has transitional provisions, to begin the application of the law. principles of the new wind plan. For which EUR 780,000 of a total amount of EUR 1.2 million in next year’s accounts will be reserved for other industrial support instruments.
In the field of energy, the minister also points out that the Innovation Pool of marine renewable energies and energy storage in Galiciawhich will have its epicenter in the CIS Ferrol. It was born with the aim of promoting the value chain and research related to the sector.
And the main actions include the development of a new experimental zone for offshore wind energy – if the government ultimately decides to support the initiative –; the momentum of what already exists in Punta Langosteira; And the implementation of a sustainable energy Business Factory at the CIS Ferrol, with a donation of 800,000 euros.
Industrial area
Regarding industrial land, he noted that Xestur will manage a budget of €33.45 million for actions in 25 parks. In concrete terms, €18.3 million will be allocated to it develop industrial land which will be completed in the year 2025. It will be, among others, in the polygons of Arteixo (Morás) (€ 2.7 million), As Gándaras (Lugo) (€ 4.7 million), San Cibrao das Viñas (Ourense) (7.3 M€), the industrial logistics platform in Salvaterra and As Neves (Plisan) (3.5 M€).
In smaller areas, the aim will be for private initiatives to develop industrial estates in locations where there is real demand. To meet these needs, the Zapes will be created (Acceleration zones for companies and land projects), to which €2.5 million has been allocated.
They propose a simultaneous and more flexible processing of land planning and business projects, in those cases where the territorial scope is going to include at least a strategic industrial project and where, in addition, there is a residual business land. for future expansions and new industries that want to be implemented. These areas are also expected to host use of renewable energy sources and energy storage.
Another figure is the Rural Industrial Zones (ZIR), for the least populated area with business potential. They are designed for smaller industrial activities with land requirements (maximum area of five hectares). Applies to municipal councils with fewer than 20,000 inhabitants.
It is a demand from many rural municipalities, which do not need large industrial estates, but do need areas where small companies or workshops can be located. In addition, the budgets also include an item of € 2 million for: modernization of gas stations in rural areasthrough a helpline for its digitalization.
More budget for Igape
Regarding the budget of the Galician Institute for Economic Promotion (Igape), Lorenzana emphasized that it has been reactivated with a budget of €278 million and an increase of 20%. For example, in 2025 the Economic Office of Galicia will have an investment of more than 6.2 million euros, 8.8% more than in 2024, among other things to new SPIGA assistance management system (Igape procedure system).
A new line of interest subsidies will also be activated on government loans granted under the Next Generation financial instruments, as well as on loans granted by Xesgalicia, endowed with €5 million and with the expectation that 200 will be activated. Igape supports companies in the field of financing from 104 million euros in 2024 to 152 million euros, an increase of 45.4%, the highest budget in the past five years.
Also notable is the creation of a new area of business innovation aimed at… The Galician ecosystem for business innovation. In this area, €4 million will be allocated to a new helpline (Igape Innova) or €1 million to the new Ticket Innova programme. The network of accelerators will receive an amount of €7 million, with three new ones: health and wellness, sports industry and renewable energy.
The Ministry of Economy and Industry plans to give a renewed and strong boost to renewable energy sources in Galicia. The Repowering wind turbines is an important part of the planbut there is much more to be done in this area.