Game Changer: Green Light For Offshore Wind In Spain

The new regulation, which took form of Royal Decree 962/2024 of 24 September ("Regulation"), subjects offshore renewable installations to a competitive bidding process —with some exceptions (e.g., installations that are innovative or located in State ports of general interest). In summary, the process is as follows:

• Initial Ministerial Orders will be issued establishing the general rules for each auction.
• Public consultation. During this phase, any person can submit comments or improvement proposals for each auction.
• Auction calls. A second Ministerial Order will announce the auctions. The market expects the first call to take place in 2025. To select winners, the primary criterion will be economic, though qualitative, non-economic factors may be considered, accounting for up to 30% of the total score. Additionally, the auctions may impose requirements related to technical solvency, experience, size, or other economic-financial aspects of potential bidders