Background information

The Strategic Projects for Economic Recovery and Transformation (PERTE) are a public-private collaboration instrument in which the different public administrations, companies and research centres collaborate. Its objective is to promote large projects with the capability to boost economic growth, employment and the competitiveness of the Spanish economy. They also serve as the main pillar for the coherent articulation, throughout the national territory, of investments in the driving sectors of the transformation and modernization of the economy. On 27 December 2022, the Council of Ministers approved the PERTE (Strategic Project for Economic Recovery and Transformation) for Industrial Decarbonisation, with a planned public investment of €3.1 billion. The PERTE for Industrial Decarbonisation is a key initiative in the drive towards a more sustainable economy, focusing on reducing carbon emissions in the industrial sector through the use of innovative technologies and eco-efficient practices. Although the PERTE was approved in 2022, the first line (line 1) of support was launched in January 2024. This line was approved through Order ITU/1434/2023, of 26 December, which establishes its regulatory basis. From a more general perspective, Spain has a Recovery Plan, which outlines the roadmap for the modernisation of the Spanish economy. This Plan receives funding from the Next Generation EU funds from the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) and the Recovery Assistance for Cohesion and Territories in Europe (REACT-EU). PERTES are created in the framework of this Recovery Plan.

Content of measure

In January 2024, the Spanish Ministry of Industry and Tourism launched the deadline for the submission of applications for European funds for decarbonisation projects, under the first line (line 1) of action of the PERTE for Industrial Decarbonisation (between 24 January 2024 and 17 April 2024). The bases of the call are regulated by Order ITU/1434/2023, of 26 December, which establishes the regulatory bases for aid for integrated action for the decarbonisation of manufacturing industry as part of the Industrial Decarbonisation PERTE within the framework of the Recovery Plan. Line 1 of aid for integrated action for the decarbonisation, supports actions carried out by national industries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including the decarbonisation of energy sources with the electrification of processes and the incorporation of hydrogen; integrated energy management of industrial processes; reduction in the use of natural resources or carbon capture, among other lines of action. It is endowed with €1 billion: €500 million in grants and another €500 million in loans. It is financed by the European Union's Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) and included in Spain's Recovery Plan. This line is aimed at public and private trading companies that carry out industrial activities, as well as groupings formed with a public or private trading company, which contribute to the decarbonisation of a single main installation. The requirements for accessing this line of aid are to reduce at least 3,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year, or at least 30% of their emissions, for tractor projects with a minimum bankable budget of €1 million. The deadline for completion of the actions is 31 March 2026. The total public funding of the project may not exceed 80 % of the total budget that has been considered eligible for funding.

Use of measure

On 6 February 2024, the Minister of Industry and Tourism reported that since the opening of the call of Line 1 of the PERTE for Industrial Decarbonisation (24 January 2024), more than 100 applications had already been submitted. This demonstrates the interest that this programme arouses among companies.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Does not apply to workers	Sector specific set of companies	Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government EU (Council, EC, EP)	European Funds National funds National Recovery and Resilience Facility

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	Informed	Informed
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• Social partners jointly
• Main level of involvement: Sectoral or branch level

Involvement

Social partners are not actively involved in the design, implementation and monitoring of the measure. They are simply informed on the measure. In any case, information available shows that business associations offer information and assessment to their associates on opportunities arisen thanks to this PERTE, and how to ask for this financing aid.

Views and reactions

The trade union CC.OO. (Comisiones Obreras), demands transparency in the management of this economic aid to companies, and asks to participate in the governance of this PERTE. It also demands that the defence of employment, the re-skilling of the workforce and a just transition are considered fundamental. The trade union asks for the projects to clearly define the labour criteria that would preserve employment levels, as well as to prioritise training. No information has been found concerning business associations’ views on this PERTE.

Sectors and occupations

This case is not occupation-specific.

Sources

• 26 December 2023: Order ITU/1434/2023, of 26 December, which establishes the regulatory bases for aid for integrated action for the decarbonisation of manufacturing industry as part of the Industrial Decarbonisation PERTE (www.boe.es)