Spain advances CO2 capture and clean‑energy technologies

Spain is emerging as a test‑bed for carbon‑capture solutions, leveraging its geography and university expertise. Researchers at the University of Las Palmas are developing ocean‑based CO₂ removal, while the Universitat Jaume I in Castelló has patented a salt‑based system that captures CO₂ directly from the air using clean electricity, aiming for scalable, cost‑effective deployment across Europe. Captured carbon can be reused to produce sustainable aviation fuels or chemicals, aligning with EU policies that penalise high emissions and encourage local decarbonisation.

In parallel, Spain’s electricity mix now exceeds 50 % renewable sources, illustrating rapid growth in clean‑energy adoption. The country benefits from abundant solar irradiance, strong wind resources, hydro capacity, and emerging marine and geothermal projects. Green hydrogen production through renewable‑powered electrolysis is also being promoted, highlighting the distinction between "clean" (low‑pollution) and "renewable" (naturally replenishing) energy sources.

These developments position Spain at the forefront of Europe’s climate‑tech push, combining innovative CO₂ capture methods with expanding clean‑energy infrastructure to meet mid‑century neutrality targets.