Basque Country Energy Cluster

Good Practices on Regional Research and
Innovation Strategies for Smart Specialisation
EnergiBasque Strategy

Basque Country (ES)
February 2013

Table of Contents

1 Basic Data of the Practice ............................................................................................................................................................................ 3
2 Introduction: Regional Background ............................................................................................................................................................... 5
3 Description of the practice ........................................................................................................................................................................... 6
4 Monitoring and evaluation ............................................................................................................................................................................ 13
5 Lessons learnt ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 13

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1 Basic Data of the Practice

1.1 Title of the practice

EnergiBasque
EnergiBasque is a comprehensive strategy designed to position the Basque Country as a benchmark of
knowledge and a leader in industrial development in the field of Energy.

1.2 Precise theme/issue/policy tackled by the practice

X Clusters
X Innovation friendly business environments for SMEs
X Research infrastructures, centeres of competence and science parks
X Universities
 Digital Agenda for Europe
X Key enabling technologies
 Cultural and creative industries
X Internationalisation
 Financial engineering instruments
X Innovative public procurement
X Green growth
 Social innovation

In particular:
X Open innovation
 User driven innovation

Process of regional change initiated:
 Transition X Modernisation
X Diversification X Radical foundation of a new domain

1.3 Geographical range of the practice

Basque Country (ES) NUTS 2
Population: 2,162,944, extension 7,234 km²

1.4 Contact details
Mr Txaber Lezamiz (Technology Development Manager)
EVE (Basque Energy Agency) – www.eve.es
+34 944 035 600

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1.5 Sources of information

http://www.eve.es/
http://www.slideshare.net/TR3S_PROJECT/a-basque-specialisation-experience-energi-basque-and-the-
bidelek-sareak-project
http://www.cicenergigune.com/en/
http://www.clusterenergia.com/
http://www.theclimategroup.org/_assets/files/Basque-energy-policy-2020.pdf
http://www.euskadinnova.net/documentos/1818.aspx
http://regions202020.eu/cms/home/pioneers/euskadi/

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2 Introduction: Regional Background

The Basque Country has a solid initial base in the energy industry. There is a relevant cluster of around 350
companies with a high degree of specialization in energy. Their overall turnover comes to over €44 billion (2008
figures), with nearly €15.5 billion sourced locally, providing over 24,000 jobs.

Companies in the Basque energy industry spend more than €300m per year on R&D, of which 58% is spent in the
Basque Country. This is much higher than the 35% of their turnover which comes from the Basque Country and
reflects the concentration in the region of activities of greatest added value. Indeed, R&D in energy directly
employs nearly 2,000 people in the Basque Country. By energy areas, renewable energy sources are gaining
ground and now represent 35% of total employment in the industry, close to the figure for power transmission and
distribution companies. The remainder is made up of oil (15%), natural gas (10%) and other Energies (5%).

The energy cluster companies are backed by an experienced and skilled scientific and technological network in the
field of energy, with R&D spending of over €20 million, employing 330 people. The network comprises the
technology corporations Tecnalia and IK4, the CIC energiGune (focusing on basic research into energy storage), the
BIMEP Center for demonstration of marine energy, the universities of the Basque Country (UPV-EHU), Deusto,
Mondragon and Tecnum, as well as ten R&D units in the leading business groups. The Energy Cluster Association is
one of the main players of reference in the Competitiveness Policy of the Basque Government and plays a very
important role in promoting co-operation among the companies and all the agents of the industry.

The last years have been particularly intense in terms of energy and environmental policy. Concern with economic
growth, stability in energy markets and, above all, global warming has formed the keystone of policymaking at all
levels: international, European, national and regional. Among the most relevant are to be highlighted:
UN Framework Convention on Climate Change entered into force on 2005 to tackle the problem of
global warming.
In 2009, the World Forum on Energy Regulation (WFER) has contributed to establishing the
principal strategic priorities for governments.
In 2008, the European Parliament approved the European energy policy for the next decade,
dubbed the “20-20-20 plan”, because of its three basic targets: a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas
emissions, a 20% reduction in primary energy consumption and 20% share of renewable energy in
final consumption.
In 2007 The European Strategic Energy Technology plan (SET-Plan), published by the European
Commission, which is intended to achieve better use and to multiply by three the R&D investment
in low carbon technologies.
Spain has set out the Energy Saving and Efficiency Plan 2011-2020 and the new Renewable Energy
plan (REP 2011- 2020). To achieve the goal of 20% of renewable by 2020 it requires that Spain
should increase renewable power generation by 25000 MW.

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3 Description of the practice

3.1 Executive Summary

EnergiBasque is part of the whole Energy Strategy of the Basque Country “Estrategia Energética de Euskadi (3E
2020)”. The 3E2020 strategy was produced after a deep analysis and a reflection process in which more than 200
organizations and stakeholders took part.

Taking into account the reference of global, European and Spanish directives and initiatives, the strategy 3E2020
establishes a commitment to improve and progress towards sustainability of the Basque Energy System.

A set of initiatives and actions have been put in place through the tree pillars or areas of the strategy regarding;
energy consuming sectors, energy markets and supply and technological and industrial development.

EnergiBasque is the third pillar of 3E2020, the one that focuses on the technological and industrial development.
Market potential and initial strength of the industry have been some of the criteria applied to define the niches of
specialization. These selected niches are; wind offshore, solar thermoelectric, waves, smart grids, transport
electrification, energy management services, un-conventional gas and storage of energy.

The initiatives proposed under the EnergyBasque strategy are:
To consolidate business generating firms in smart grids, wind offshore, solar thermoelectric, where
there are a set of Basque firms, competing globally that are leaders or major references for certain
products and markets.
To develop business in emerging areas. There are enough bases at regional level and certain local
advantages to enter into wave energy and storage.
Generate new business opportunities. Through other pillars of the 3E2020 strategy like, efficiency,
electric mobility or un-conventional gas.

A set of indicators deployed at initiative level will be monitoring the socioeconomic impact of Energybasque. It is
expected to increase Energy companies R+D expenditure in the Basque Country up to 300 M€ by 2015, which is a
50% more than in 2010. This will represent the 60% of the worldwide R+D investment of the companies. In the
same period, total jobs in EnergyBasque companies within the Basque Country, are expected to rise more than
20% from 12.800 up to 15.000 jobs.

3.2 Key features of the practice
EnergiBasque is a comprehensive strategy to position the Basque Country as a benchmark of knowledge
and a leader in industrial development.
EnergiBasque will focus on consolidating driver companies in the Basque Country as leaders in the field
of technology.
EnergiBasque will focus on developing business activities in emerging fields of energy.
EnergiBasque will focus on generating new energy markets and opportunities through the 3E2020
Strategy.
EnergiBasque will focus on a reduced number of selected areas: Power generation, Transport &
Distribution, Consumption, Primary Energy and Storage.
The Basque Energy sector is supported by a solid infrastructure of scientific and technological agents.

3.3 Detailed content
Energy Strategy of the Basque Country 2020 (3E- 2020)

EnergiBasque is part of the whole Energy Strategy of the Basque Country “Estrategia Energética de Euskadi (3E
2020)” so a brief introduction to the whole picture will be given in the following paragraphs to get a better
understanding.

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In order to have a solid strategy that meets our economic, energy and technology reality, the Basque Government
has undertaken a process of reflection in which, based on a preliminary analysis work has channeled the
participation of the relevant stakeholders.

Indeed, more than 200 organizations representing virtually all of the major economic and social actors in the
country took part in the workshops organized. In these workshops and debates, were discussed the outlines of the
strategy. The participants discussed the assessments and proposals for action developed initially. The facilitators
collected the views, comments and suggestions from participants.

The result is the Basque Energy Strategy (3E-2020), a commitment to improve and progress towards sustainability
of the Basque Energy System. And the technological and economic development of Energy sector intended as a
source of value creation in the long term for the Basque Society.

The strategic objectives of the 3E-2020 Strategy are the following ones:

By 2020 levels of primary energy consumption should be no higher than in 2008, the historical
maximum to date. This is to be achieved through intensified energy efficiency actions in all energy-
consuming sectors.
Final oil consumption in 2020 to be 9% lower than 2010, by encouraging a dissociation from oil in
the transport sector, use of electric vehicles, with 37,100 units on the market and 15%
consumption of alternative energy sources in road transport.
Increase the use of renewable energy sources by 87% to 905,000 toe in 2020, to give renewables a
14% share of final consumption.
Increase the participation of Cogeneration and renewables in power generation from 18% in 2010
to 38% in 2020.
Promote priority areas of research, technological and industrial development in the energy field
and increase the turnover of companies in the energy industry by 25%.
Contribute to limiting climate change through a 2.5 Mt reduction in CO2 emissions by way of the
measures contained in the energy policy.
Mobilise investments of €10.71 billion over 10 years.

According to this framework of policies and directives, a comprehensive assessment of energy situation and a
strategic analysis of the energy system were carried out in the Basque Country. The assessment covered energy
consumption and generation, use of renewables and gas, efficiency, environmental contribution, infrastructures,
demographic and social perspectives, economic and sectorial trends, etc. As a result of the strategic analysis risks
and strengths were identified, as well as the challenges for the energy system in the Basque Country. Actions and
initiatives were discussed and finally were selected to be part of the 3E-2020.

The 3E-2020 strategy is deployed by some 100 actions grouped in 11 main lines of action according to the three
following pillars or strategy areas:

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EnergiBasque is the name for the strategic pillar focused on the technological and industrial development. It seeks
to make use of the major energy and environmental challenges as an opportunity for growth in Basque business
sectors, through technological development, inter-business co-operation and identification of new business
opportunities.

Energy in the competitiveness and R&D plans of the Basque Government
Energy has a significant presence in other relevant instruments of the Basque Government, such as Science and
Technology Policy and the Business Competitiveness Policy. Indeed, the Energy is one of the five "focus markets"
defined as priorities in the PCTI 2015, the Science, Technology and Innovation Plan, which includes the programs
and investments in R & D. These programs help traction of the business related to the different links in the value
chain of the energy sector (generation, distribution, control, renewables, efficiency, etc.). To do this, the PCTI 2015
supports the business cooperation in technology development projects that help to exploit new business
opportunities.

3.4 Technological & Business aspects of EnergiBasque
EnergiBasque is the name for the strategic pillar focused on the technological and industrial development.

The importance and extent of the Energy challenge calls for a change that goes beyond business-as-usual solutions.
A technological revolution is needed that will provide a sustainable solution for the planet’s growing energy
requirements and enable it to develop towards a low-carbon energy system. To achieve this, a variety of alternatives
are being developed, which are at different degrees of maturity. These range from generation using renewables and
energy efficiency to more long-term technologies such as carbon capture, transport and storage and nuclear fusion.

EnergiBasqque seeks to consolidate a competitive network of science-technology companies and agents within the
energy industry in order to turn the Basque Country into an international knowledge pole and a reference for
industrial development in a set of specialties within the energy industry.

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A limited number of technology/market domains have been identified as promising for the Basque industry. Further
analysis of the market attractiveness, the initial strengths of Basque industry and their contribution to the strategic
targets facilitates the selection of priority domains in which concentrates the technological and industrial efforts.
The common framework of these energy areas is principally electricity and industrial equipment, with storage as a
facilitator (key enabler technology).

Wind offshore
Solar thermoelectric
Waves
Smart grids
Transport Electrification
Energy Management Services
Non-conventional gas
Storage of energy

Three initiatives have been proposed according to the selected domains:

T.1 CONSOLIDATE BASQUE BUSINESS-GENERATING FIRMS IN ENERGY AREAS
T.2 DEVELOP BUSINESS IN NEW EMERGING AREAS
T.3 GENERATE NEW MARKET OPPORTUNITIES WITH 3E2020 ENERGY INVESTMENT

T.1 CONSOLIDATE BASQUE BUSINESS-GENERATING FIRMS IN ENERGY AREAS
Business-generating firms are driving companies, they are competing globally in their respective fields and even
some of them are world leaders or major references for certain products and markets. This is the case in smart
grids, wind offshore, solar thermoelectric.

T1. Stakeholders:

Smart grids. Iberdrola (5th ranking energy utility company worldwide) and various medium-size niche market
leaders are driver companies in this field.

Wind. Gamesa (6th ranking worldwide) and Iberdrola Renovables (3rd ranking worldwide) are the driver
companies here.

Solar thermoelectric. Sener, a world leader in central receiver technology competing throughout the world,
together with Mondragon and Torresol are the driver companies in this field.

T1. Targets:
TARGETS
INDICATORS 2010 2015
Percentage of R&D performed by companies in the Basque Country/Total 58 60
Turnover in the Basque Country, companies in T.1 areas 3050 4000
Jobs in the Basque Country, companies in T.1 areas 12800 15000

T.2 DEVELOP BUSINESS IN NEW EMERGING AREAS
Emerging areas with big market potential and in which we have initially, sufficient technological and industrial base
in the cluster. This is the case for Power storage and wave energy.

T2. Stakeholders:

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Storage. CIC Energigune is the cooperative research center focused on energy storage. This body gathers the main
stakeholders in this field of energy storage. CIC Energigune pursues to become a worldwide reference within this
scientific-technological niche.

The CIC is articulated as a private foundation, it has a budget of 30 million euros over the next three years. The
foundation incorporates industrial companies related to the sector such as Iberdrola, Gamesa, Guascor, Sener,
IDOM, Cegasa, Naturgas and Mondragón group. Also participating are the technological corporations IK 4,
Tecnalia and the Basque Energy Cluster Association. The University of the Basque Country and Mondragon are
expected to join in the next future. The public part of the project corresponds to the Basque Government (through
the departments of Industry and Education), the Provincial Council of Alava and Technology Park of Miñano, where
the center is located.

Wave Energy. Here the aim is to consolidate a scientific and technological offering and the value chain with a
supply of equipment, components and specific services for marine energy that can benefit from the magnet effect
of a one-off experimentation infrastructure currently underway in the Basque Country. BIMEP is the ocean
infrastructure to research, testing, demonstration and operation of wave energy devices. It will attract promoters
and technologists around the marine energy sector.

BIMEP Company has been established by two shareholders, the Basque Agency for Energy (EVE) (80%) and the
Spanish Institute for Diversification and Saving of Energy (IDEA) with 20%.

T2. Targets:
TARGETS
Turnover in the Basque Country in T.2 areas (€m) 60 200
Employment in the Basque Country in T.2 areas (jobs) 200 500
Nr of new companies in T.2 areas 5
Foreign investment in T.2 areas (€m) 25
PCT patents registered in T.2 areas – 3 3
No. of researchers in T.2 areas (persons) – 100 100

T.3 GENERATE NEW MARKET OPPORTUNITIES WITH 3E2020 ENERGY INVESTMENT
This line includes technological areas directly related to initiatives and actions raised in the previous areas of the
3E2020 for energy purposes, but whose development can generate technological and/or market opportunities for
Basque companies, producing synergies of interest. Examples of this line are the following

Infrastructure and support services for electric vehicles, can take advantage of synergies with smart grids
and storage technologies.
Energy Efficiency Buildings in synergy with ICTs to provide Energy management services
Un-conventional gas exploration to develop the local supply chain

T3. Stakeholders:

Electromobility. IBIL is a new venture created between REPSOL, a mayor leading company in the fuel and gas
exploration and distribution sector, operating worldwide, and the Basque Agency for Energy (EVE). IBIL will
develop and operate charging infrastructure for electric vehicles in private and at public locations.

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Management of energy services. Pilot projects are underway for contracting energy services linked to efficiency, in
central and regional administration public buildings.

Un-conventional gas. Should any resource be discovered, development of a domestic supply of products and
services could take advantage.

T3. Targets:

TARGETS
Nr of new companies in T.3 areas 10
Foreign investment in T.3 areas (€m) 30
No. of EV charging stations in the Basque Country 8000
No. of public buildings with efficient energy management (by means of ESCOs) 30
No. of non-conventional gas exploration wells drilled in the Basque Country 5

EnergiBasque in a nutshell. The following picture represents the specilisation areas and the lines of action
discussed in the previous paragraphs.

3.5 RTD infrastructure and main players
The following charts shows the main bodies and stakeholders involved, from which to highlight the followings:
The CIC Energigune as coordinator.
Main RTD related to energy is done mainly by University of Basque Country, University of Mondragon,
Tecnalia, IK4 and the CIC Energigune. This research infrastructure employs 98% of total employees in R&D
related to energy.
RTD business units from companies such as: IBERDROLA; GAMESA; SENER, GUASCOR, ORMAZABAL,
ARTECHE, ZIV, INGETEAM; FAGOR, ORMAZABAL.

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3.6 Legal framework

The Principal directives and policies regarding Energy have been discussed before in the background chapter.

3.7 Financial framework and impacts

Annual figures for mobilisation of R&D resources and public contributions are as follows:

EnergiBasque’s targets are in line with those set out in the STIP 2015 (3% of GDP spent on R&D), in pursuit of a
similar growth in spending on R&D in energy. This represents average annual growth in R&D expenditure of 10% to
2015, which is in line with the targets for technological leadership set and the need to generate and consolidate a
critical mass in all strategic areas.

The Basque Energy Strategy 2011-2020 is an ambitious proposal which, as well as consolidating the energy
industry’s lead position, will make a decisive contribution to the social, economic and technological development
of the Basque Country. Based on its three strategic areas, it will have a major multiplying effect on the economy in
general, generating business, fostering technological progress and contributing to an improvement in the living
standards of Basque society as a whole through the forecast investment for the period 2011-2020.

Given the capacity of Basque industry to respond to the demand generated by this volume of investment, 61% of it
will translate into domestic investment, i.e. sourced in the Basque Country, with a local impact, benefitting
manufacturers and service companies operating as direct or indirect suppliers. This increase in demand will help
Basque companies increase their output and their capacity to generate employment, leading to a series of related
effects in the form of business, tax revenue, etc.

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This volume of activity will translate into tangible impacts in the period 2011-2020 by generating 1.6% of Basque
GDP, output to a value of €27.41 bn, net revenue of €2.82 bn for the territorial revenue offices and a level of
business capable of providing the equivalent of 14,150 jobs per year.

4 Monitoring and evaluation

Detailed goal indicators have been provided for each initiative before. In the following table the global
performance indicators are presented:

5 Lessons learnt

Being the Energy sector is a cornerstone of the Basque regional industry; it is now also a cornerstone of the
regional Smart Specialization Strategy. Based on regional assets the region has managed to develop an
innovative sector worldwide connected that has reached excellence in several fields of research. Nowadays the
sector accounts with a well-developed RTD and scientific infrastructure, a long trajectory in RTD demonstrated
also by the number of employees in the field high private investment in RTD as well as worldwide leader
companies such as IBERDROLA, the first in the world promoting and operating electricity from renewables;
GAMESA, the third biggest producer of wind mills; among others. The Basque regional energy industry is
competing globally in their respective fields, in areas such as smart grids, wind energy and solar thermoelectric.

EnergiBasque is a comprehensive strategy to position the Basque Country as a benchmark of knowledge and a
leader in industrial development. The strategy is framed within the European, National and Regional strategies.
As regards the regional Strategy; energibasque is and has been linked to the different regional Plans.
EnergiBasque forms part of the regional energy strategy called 3E2020 and provides input to the regional
Science, Technology & Innovation Plan (PCTI 2015) by delivering the key development areas of the energy sector.
The 3E2020 has the objectives of increasing energy efficiency in all sectors. Energy is thus a strategic sector of
the Basque Country, and will therefore play a key role in delivering the objectives of the PCTI 2015.

The success so far of the strategy lies down also on the strategy definition process, coordinated by the Basque
Regional Government (Department of Industry) with the Basque Energy Board (EVE; Ente Vasco de la Energía);
the strategy is the result of a collective effort of the Basque Country agents with a number of stakeholder
meetings. It is also a strategy embedded in the regional strategy.

EU projects such as the RESGen project, under the (FP7- Regions of Knowledge Programme) contributed to the
definition of the regional technological and industrial strategy called EnergiBasque, which was approved by the
Basque Government in December 2011. The RESGen project has also given the opportunity to give a
collaborative European dimension to the plan having available the reference of the other regions participating in
the project.

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The sector is also supported by a strong and well established Basque Energy Cluster (Cluster de Energía de País
Vasco) since 1996. The Cluster gathers most of the companies of the sector; 95% being associated to the Cluster.
The Cluster has the vision of contributing to place the region as European leader in the field of Energy. The
Cluster gives strong support to industry strengthening the value chain in future fields where the Basque
industrial fabric has knowledge and technological basis; develops strong industrial groups’ leaders of the value
chain with strong emphasis in the generation of high added value products and services as well as contributing to
develop a new energy model.

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