The transition toward a more sustainable energy model is no longer a future aspiration: Spain and Portugal are taking the lead. According to the Scaling up Cleantech panel at South Summit 2024, one in every five green hydrogen projects worldwide will be developed on the Iberian Peninsula, demonstrating the growing influence of both countries in the clean technology revolution.
Spain and Portugal
Leading the Clean Tech Revolution
Last updated: diciembre 2025
Renewable Growth and Green Jobs
In Spain, 50.4% of electricity generated in 2023 came from renewable sources, with wind energy (23.5%) and solar (14%) standing out. Portugal is also making strong progress, and the cleantech sector is expected to create 2.65 million jobs by 2030. This represents a huge economic boost but also a challenge: there are not enough trained professionals to meet the demand.
Massive Investment in Green Projects
The development of these technologies would not be possible without significant investment. Between now and 2027, €820 million will be allocated across Spain and Portugal to projects involving green hydrogen, sustainable aviation fuels, long-duration energy storage, carbon capture, and industrial decarbonization. Many of these initiatives will be pilot and first-of-a-kind projects that combine economic return with environmental benefits through public-private financing schemes.
Cleantech as a Driver of Innovation
Organizations such as Cleantech for Iberia, Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Foundation, and the European Investment Bank are supporting these initiatives from conception to implementation. This enables companies to access blended financing and develop hardware-intensive solutions that will, in the long term, decarbonize industry and offer real alternatives to fossil fuels.
A Sustainable Future Already in Motion
Spain and Portugal are not only betting on clean energy—they are proving that sustainability can go hand in hand with innovation and economic growth. The shift toward green technologies is not just an environmental opportunity: it is also a business and employment opportunity that both countries are seizing to the fullest.