Andalusia has become one of the most dynamic territories in Europe in the race for green hydrogen. Historically known for its agricultural and tourism potential, the region is making steady progress towards positioning itself, not just in Spain but also in Europe, as an energy benchmark thanks to its renewable capacity, logistics infrastructure and the backing of a clear political strategy.
Andalusia currently has 14.5 gigawatts (GW) of installed renewable energy capacity, over twice as much as just five years ago. This output means it can generate a large amount of clean electricity, which is essential for producing green hydrogen through electrolysis.
Andalusia has 14.5 GW of renewable energy installed, over twice as much as just five years ago
The Andalusian Green Hydrogen Roadmap, presented in 2024 by the Regional Government, has been endorsed by more than 150 public and private stakeholders. This is a strategic plan initially earmarked with €70 million to support hydrogen production, distribution and storage projects, as well as to stimulate demand and promote R&D&I initiatives.
One of the pillars of this plan is the creation of the so-called Andalusian Green Hydrogen Valley, the largest green hydrogen project in Europe, with a capacity of 2 GW and a production of up to 300,000 tonnes.
In total, the Andalusian Regional Government has identified 23 green hydrogen projects under implementation , with an estimated electrolysis capacity of 3.7 GW by 2030. This capacity is equivalent to 33% of the target of the new National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC) for Spain as a whole. The aggregate investment associated with these initiatives will be more than €5.3 billion, and more than 17,700 direct and indirect jobs are expected to be generated in the community.
The total investment in the green hydrogen initiatives identified by the Regional Government will exceed €5.3 billion
Institutional support has been key to driving this transformation. The Regional Government has declared several of these projects to be strategic and, in this sense, it has promoted a streamlined processing and designed specific lines of support. An example of this is the Project Accelerator Unit, a mechanism that centralises technical and administrative efforts to ensure that the most relevant initiatives move forward quickly and efficiently.
In addition, European funds, such as those from the Next Generation programme and the Just Transition Fund, have channelled resources to strengthen the industrial fabric in areas traditionally dependent on polluting activities.
In this scenario, Enagás’ participation is particularly significant. The company is responsible for developing the Spanish Green Hydrogen Backbone Network, an infrastructure that will connect the main production hubs with industrial consumption and export centres. It will cover over 2,600 kilometres, 147 of which will run between Huelva and Merida, passing through other municipalities in Seville and Cordoba. Enagás will invest over €2.6 billion in the development of this infrastructure, which it plans to complete by 2030.
Enagás is in charge of developing the Spanish Green Hydrogen Backbone Network, an infrastructure that will connect the main production poles with the industrial centres of consumption and export
Huelva is positioning itself as a strategic location for Spain’s hydrogen network development. One of the main transport corridors currently under construction will depart from this city, namely the Ruta de la Plata, an infrastructure project that will stretch 875 kilometres and pass through the communities of Extremadura, Castile and León, and Asturias.
This corridor will form part of the national hydrogen network, which in turn will be connected to the European network through the H2med corridor, thus boosting energy integration at continental level.
The Conceptual Public Participation Plan (PCPP) envisages that this hydrogen backbone network will cross a total of eight municipalities in the province of Huelva, as well as twelve in Seville and three in Cordoba, thus guaranteeing local involvement in this key project for the energy transition.
In addition, Enagás is working on converting its liquefied natural gas plant in Huelva into a multi-molecule terminal capable of handling ammonia, bio-LNG and other forms of exportable hydrogen.
Andalusia’s commitment makes even more sense if we look at the national and European context. Spain aims to achieve 4 GW of green hydrogen production by 2030, a figure that the Andalusia region could cover on its own if all its projects are consolidated.
Spain aims to reach 4 GW of green hydrogen production by 2030, a figure that Andalusia could cover on its own
Andalusia received the largest allocation of funds to develop a renewable hydrogen valley in the latest call for proposals from the Ministry for Ecological Transition.
At the continental level, the RePowerEU strategy envisages the production of 10 million tonnes of green hydrogen per year over the next decade, and regions that are ahead in their development will be better positioned to capture funding, technology and market share.
Andalusia is moving decisively towards European leadership in green hydrogen, thanks to its changing industrial ecosystem, ports with a focus on logistics, abundant sunshine and wind, institutional support, and large companies committed to new energy models.
Beyond a technological change, what is emerging is a new energy identity for the region, with the capacity not only to supply its own economy but also to export clean energy to the rest of Europe. The transition is underway, and Andalusia does not want to be left behind.
