EXPORTS FOCUS

SPANISH OPPORTUNITIES FOR UK INDUSTRY

53kW PV installation at the New Horizins basketball stadium, Spain (photo courtesy of BP Solar)

A preliminary market review suggests that Spain is now one of the most attractive world markets for renewable energy technologies (see NEW REVIEW 39). The Spanish Electric Power Act 1997 mandates that at least 12% of primary energy demand must be supplied from renewable sources by 2010, an effective doubling of renewables consumption in Spain. Spain therefore offers good opportunities for the UK renewables industry in the short to medium term for sales of goods and services, establishing new ventures to develop work elsewhere in the European Union (EU) and in developing country markets, and inward investment to the UK.

The DTI's New and Renewable Energy Programme is actively promoting the UK industry in Spain. An initial briefing seminar on the Spanish market was held in London last December, and the Programme has participated in a number of events in the Spanish market during early 1999:

• Renewable energy was a principal theme of the PowerEXPO '99 Exhibition and International Congress, held in Zaragoza in January. Over 120 exhibitors represented 250 businesses, including a number of UK companies, particularly those supplying components and services to the power sector. Barry Holmes, DTI Trade Promoter, and Jonathan Hewitt, from the Commercial Section at the British Embassy in Madrid, attended on behalf of the Programme. The importance of Latin American markets to Spain was highlighted by the event, together with the potential for UK companies to work with Spanish partners to develop enterprises in Latin America. Overall, the event provided an excellent chance for UK firms to meet the major players in the Spanish energy sector.
• A wind energy conference, also attended by Barry Holmes, was held in Santiago de Compostela in February. It attracted over 200 participants, mainly from Spain itself; the UK had the second largest number of participants. The event reinforced the commitment of the Spanish authorities to promoting wind energy and other renewables projects. It also underlined the excellent co-operation between most of Spain's national and regional government departments. Although a strong Spanish wind industry has developed, with local manufacture of turbines and components for wind farms, opportunities still exist for international suppliers to work with these and others within the industry. A report on the conference is available from the Enquiries Bureau.
• The New and Renewable Energy Programme, in association with the DTI's Infrastructure and Energy Projects Directorate (IEPD), took a stand at the Cogeneracíon Exhibition in Madrid in February. Targeted at cogeneration (ie CHP) and renewable energy companies, it is the largest event of its kind in Spain, attracting over 3500 trade visitors. Over 300 companies were represented by the 150-plus exhibition stands, including a number of UK firms or their Spanish agents. This event raised the profile of the UK renewables industry in Spain and provided a chance for companies new to Spain to gain an initial impression of the opportunities. The UK stand attracted more than 1000 visitors, mainly from Spain; over 500 of these were trade representatives. Information about them has been disseminated to UK companies, and a number of business deals were initiated at the event.

It is planned to follow up these initial promotional activities through a schedule of events to be developed by the Programme, in association with the British Embassy, the IEPD and the DTI's Business in Europe Desk. To participate in future initiatives, contact: Barry Holmes, c/o ETSU, Tel: 01444 258755, Fax: 01444 258766.