Over 40 companies in Iberdrola Q-Cero Alliance for the decarbonisation of thermal demand (for heat and cold) in Spain

• The initiative aims to accelerate the decarbonisation of heat demand in industry and buildings in order to reduce CO2 emissions and combat climate change and to seize economic and employment opportunities.

• The alliance aims to provide clarity on the current situation, move forward, identify barriers and solutions across sectors and establish processes over the next two years to make faster progress.

More than 40 companies took part in the launch event of Q-Cero – the alliance for the decarbonisation of thermal demand in Spain – held today at the headquarters of Iberdrola España. The initiative, open to all agents, was created as a meeting and dialogue point to accelerate decarbonisation – especially of thermal energy demand in both the industrial and building sectors, and to combat climate change . 

The partnership, facilitated and supported by the Centre for Innovation in Technology for Human Development of the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, has today brought together all sectors of the industrial economic chain. 

The current pace of decarbonisation in the industrial and buildings sector is below the pace necessary for achieving the commitments made in the fight against climate change and to limit global warming to 1.5°C. 

The alliance is conceived as a common place open to all agents where all entities come together, discuss the current situation, identify bottlenecks and develop proposals and activities to accelerate the electrification of heat in the different sectors, maintaining competitiveness and taking advantage of and contributing to realising the opportunities of the energy transition.

The electrification of heat is a sector with a special situation, as although there are numerous barriers common to all businesses, there are also significant differences. This reality poses challenges for the acceleration of the process of decarbonisation of thermal demand. However, it also brings an economic opportunity to develop new markets and decarbonisation technologies in Spain. 

The Executive Chairman of Iberdrola España, Ignacio Galán, said at the launch of the Alliance that "there is a real urgency to change our energy system. We need it to protect our environment, but also to increase our energy autonomy and reduce fossil fuel imports. This is a real alliance to decarbonise and seize new opportunities. Many companies also share this commitment, and that is why we are reaching agreements among ourselves and with the financial sector to achieve the goal of a three-fold increase in clean energy."

Galán also wanted to "thank the workers of all the companies that form part of this alliance for their commitment to building a more fraternal, equitable and sustainable world, and of course, a less polluted world for everyone – where Spain has a unique opportunity. That is how social clamour and the political consensus demand it."

Here are the companies and entities that took part in the launch of the alliance: Abadía Retuerta, Ábbatte, AFEC, AndreuWorld, Antolín, AQ Compute, Bayer, bp, Carbon2Nature, Castillo de Canena, Contazara, Crimidesa, Disalfarm, EIT Climate KIC, Ence - Energía y Celulosa, Estrella Levante (DAMM Group), Fagor Ederlan, Ferrovial, Gonvarri Solar Steel, Google, Heineken, Holcim, Iberdrola España, Kyoto, Lactalis, Latem Aluminium, Losán, Masam, Merlin Properties, Molecor, NetZero Basque Industrial Super Cluster, Pepsico, Plastic Energy, Porcelanosa, Rebi, Sabic, SpainDC, T500 Puratos and Tubos Reunidos Group.

Country opportunity

The alliance is in line with the European Union's fight against climate change and its goal for all member countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030. 

The demand for thermal energy accounts for approximately 40% of final energy demand in Spain. This demand is divided approximately equally between industry and heat needs in buildings, including the residential and tertiary sectors. 

The weight of industry is decreasing in Europe and is particularly low in Spain. Its dependence on fossil fuels, the energy crisis and the lack of energy autonomy, among other variables, are increasing energy costs, affecting competitiveness.

Compared to other countries, Spain has the competitive advantage of having the best renewable resources in Europe. On the path towards a carbon-free energy transition and security of supply at stable prices, Spain has abundant clean and competitive energy – which represents an enormous opportunity to attract industry to our country, generating employment and added value.