I am very pleased to welcome HM the King of the Netherlands, dear Willem-Alexander, to Spain for such a special visit, and to do so at the Royal Botanic Gardens. Quite an adequate setting for both the theme of your visit and our shared concern for the wellbeing of our planet’s nature and biodiversity. It is also a special occasion, as this year marks the 375th anniversary since our Kingdoms, Spain and the Netherlands, established diplomatic relations.
Ok, but there is another Anniversary: a few days ago, it was your 10th as Head of State and Monarch (symbol of unity and continuity).
Your Majesty,
You are well aware of Spain's affection, respect and admiration for your country —friend and ally— with which we share deep historical ties and maintain very positive relations covering practically all areas: economic and commercial, security and defence, culture and industry. This excellent cooperation, which demonstrates our common understanding, interests and aspirations, also extends to the energy sector, which brings us together in a new step of bilateral collaboration, one that places us at the forefront of one of the greatest challenges of our time.
We are here today to address a topic of vital importance for our future and that of generations to come: the development of a key energy carrier to make the energy transition possible, viable, affordable and safe. That carrier is renewable hydrogen.
In this regard, the message coming out of Europe is loud and clear: the 21st century development will depend −and be driven by− renewables, efficiency, electrification and innovative technologies such as hydrogen, which already plays a leading role in our energy system. It is a highly versatile energy vector and key to the decarbonisation of our economies, industries and transport. Now the challenge ahead of us is to make the hydrogen we already use 100% renewable.
The prospects for its development are broad and extend well into the next 30 years. According to the International Energy Agency, we should expect to see its use increase six-fold and reach to 10% of total final energy consumption by 2050 from low-carbon sources. In addition, the IEA estimates that renewable hydrogen will account for 1/3 of the fuel used in land transport by 2050, and up to 60% in maritime transport.
"...I am very pleased to welcome HM the King of the Netherlands, dear Willem-Alexander, to Spain for such a special visit, and to do so at the Royal Botanic Gardens. Quite an adequate setting for both the theme of your visit and our shared concern for the wellbeing of our planet’s nature and environment. It is also a special occasion, as this year marks the 375th anniversary since our Kingdoms, Spain and the Netherlands, established diplomatic relations.
You are well aware of Spain's affection, respect and admiration for your country —friend and ally— with which we share deep historical ties and maintain very positive relations covering practically all areas: economic and commercial, security and defence, culture and industry. This excellent cooperation, which demonstrates our common understanding, interests and aspirations, also extends to the energy sector, which brings us together in a new step of bilateral collaboration, one that places us at the forefront of one of the greatest challenges of our time.
..."
This commitment to renewable hydrogen responds to both environmental and strategic implications. In these times of uncertainty and volatility −also in the energy sector−, it is necessary to develop an energy transition that enhances our energy autonomy without creating new technological and material dependencies, i.e. to enhance our strategic autonomy.
Therefore, if the full potential of renewable hydrogen is to be realised, it is essential to address all these challenges ahead. The mass production of renewable hydrogen from renewable energies and its efficient storage are technological and economic factors that require special attention. In addition, we need to develop an adequate distribution infrastructure, in order to enable the transport and supply of hydrogen nationally and internationally.
To this end, it is essential to establish alliances between partner countries. In this respect, our country has shown itself to be on this path of collaboration and understanding, both with the agreement between Portugal, France, Germany and Spain for the development of H2MED across the Mediterranean and with the recent signing in February of the MoU between the Netherlands and Spain. One with which our two countries hope to deepen mutual cooperation in the development of a European hydrogen market, in line with the ambitions set out in the REPowerEU plan and in order to meet the objectives of The Paris Agreement.
These initiatives fully align us with European policies and objectives. Europe has taken a significant step in establishing the European Hydrogen Strategy, aimed fundamentally at setting the necessary guidelines to develop the role of clean hydrogen in reducing emissions and promoting an efficient economy in the EU.
There is so much that we all still need to do. All this technology needs to be further developed, to become a widespread reality in our economic sectors. The best example of this is the creation of the so-called hydrogen valleys, which locally integrate the supply, distribution —logistics— and demand for renewable hydrogen to further increase knowledge and present viable proposals about this present and future vector.
In short, hydrogen plays an important role in the transition to a low-carbon economy. Its versatility, decarbonisation potential and ability to drive the development of key sectors make it a significant part of our energy future. We must seize this opportunity to build a more sustainable world in a realistic way.
We are confident that, with the joint efforts of all stakeholders and a broad and loyal collaboration between partner countries, hydrogen can be a tangible and transformative reality.
It is our responsibility to leave a positive legacy for future generations, and hydrogen can help to achieve this.
Thank you very much.