All EU member states must contribute to achieving the bloc's climate and energy objectives and outline their strategies to do so. Spain, an EU member since 1986, is no exception. According to Spain's National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), renewables are anticipated to constitute 48% of the final energy mix by 2030, with clean energy accounting for 42% of total energy consumption last year. Despite Spain's progress in the transition to clean energy, challenges lie ahead. The European Technology and Innovation Platform on Renewable Heating and Cooling (RHC-ETIP) recently organized a webinar titled "Spanish Perspectives on the Renewable Heating and Cooling Market." Marta San Román, Director General of AFEC, the Spanish Heat Pump and HVAC manufacturers Association, highlighted insights into Spain's heat pump market. While 2022 witnessed a 30% growth in heat pump sales compared to the previous year, the market faces challenges such as a shortage of skilled workers. San Román emphasized the need for a faster heat pump rollout, asserting that this could generate over 250,000 jobs in Spain and reduce dependence on gas. Enrique Vilamitjana, Managing Director at Panasonic Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning Europe, represented manufacturers in discussing significant investments exceeding €4 billion by leading heat pump producers to expand manufacturing capacity in the EU. He emphasized the importance of collaboration to overcome the current slowdown, with a focus on providing consumers with clearer information to strengthen the heat pump market. Although certain EU countries experienced a decline in heat pump sales during the initial months of 2023, Vilamitjana suggests two measures to sustain the technology's demand: reducing the electricity-gas price ratio and enhancing consumer confidence in heat pumps. As emphasized by EHPA earlier, maintaining electricity prices at a level not exceeding twice the price of gas is essential to assist consumers in minimizing operational costs associated with heat pumps. [Heat pump roll-out is now happening at a slower pace, while the industry is heavily investing in Europe. How can we work together to overcome the current slowdown? Consumers need clearer information: informed consumers are the best weapon we can deploy to strengthen our heat pump market", he concluded.
