Spanish authorities have approved a new Royal Decree on offshore wind power, aiming to strengthen the guidelines around awarding projects and confirming the 3 GW goal of installed offshore wind capacity within 2030.

Spain has in recent years seen a number of projects being proposed, both in the Canary Islands and along the coast of mainland Spain, particularly along the south and northeast coasts. Although a lot of interest from developers, and an established supply chain for the offshore wind industry, the policy roll-out for projects in Spain has been slow.

But progress is being made, in 2023, 19 potential zones of offshore wind were identified, called High Potential Zones (ZAPER). Due to the depths along the coasts and the sites identified, it is expected that the projects in Spain will be floating.

The new Royal Decree stipulates that for future lease rounds, sites withing the ZAPER zones will be awarded through competitive allocations, with award criteria yet to be decided.

Aiming to host auction rounds soon, the approval is a welcome sign to developers and the industry interested that progress, although slow, is being made towards the first commercial scale offshore wind projects in Spain.

For map of offshore wind projects in Spain, see: https://wind-analytics.esgian.com/