Numerous entrepreneurs, renewable energies experts and students recently attended a seminar on energy efficiency in Spain, jointly organised by the Spanish Embassy, the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies and the Maltese-Spanish Chamber of Commerce.

Keynote speaker Gonzalo Escribano illustrated the importance of the energy efficiency and renewable energies sectors in Spain, which even in an economic crisis environment, have managed to achieve outstanding results.

Prof. Escribano, who is director of the energy programme at the prestigious Spanish think-tank Elcano Royal Institute and professor of economics at the Spanish Open University, presented data which showed how Spain has become a world leader in renewable energies and at the top of electricity generation from these sources, especially from wind and solar energies.

He emphasised that the Spanish energy efficiency sector is taking big steps year after year and that, with the current trends, Spain will be able to reach the EU 2020 agreed goals.

Ambassador Felipe de la Morena explained the seminar was a follow-up to a series of events the embassy is organising to promote economic relations between the two countries and to increase awareness of business opportunities in Spain.

MEDAC director Stephen Calleya highlighted the pertinence of the seminar as Malta strives to reach the EU targets for 2020 in renewable energies.

Maltese-Spanish Chamber of Commerce president Alfredo Muñoz Pérez referred to the MSCC’s role as a networking platform to promote business opportunities between the two countries, enhancing bilateral awareness and taking stock of the growing interest of competitive Spanish companies in establishing new international partnerships.

A question and answer session concluded the seminar.