Sara Aagesen was confirmed by executive representatives to national media as the new Minister for the Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge and Third Deputy Prime Minister of the Spanish Government. After weeks of speculation, the renewable energy sector remains expectant and optimistic about her ability to address the challenges posed by the transition to a decarbonized economy.

Continuity and Expertise Praised
Energía Estratégica España spoke with various stakeholders from different technologies, business organizations, consultants, and market analysts. They unanimously highlighted the political continuity her appointment represents as a significant positive factor.

Her technical profile, regulatory expertise, and key role within Teresa Ribera’s team mark a promising path. However, the sector also emphasizes the pending challenges and the need for tangible progress.

Most energy sector stakeholders have underlined the value of Aagesen’s background. José María González Moya, General Director of APPA Renovables, called her appointment “a wise choice,” noting her “high technical knowledge and regulatory experience.”

Similarly, Bianca Dragomir, director of Cleantech for Iberia, emphasized that Aagesen has proven to be “instrumental in milestones such as the Iberian exception and the electrification of the economy.”

From the wind energy sector, the Spanish Wind Energy Association (AEE) celebrated her appointment as recognition of her commitment to sustainability, stating that it “strengthens the continuity of wind energy deployment in Spain.”

Other experts value her technical capabilities and experience. Bernardino Couñago, Co-founder of Blue Newables, highlighted her pro-European vision and the opportunity to position Spain as a leader in the offshore wind market.

Luis Marquina, President of AEPIBAL, assured that “her knowledge guarantees continuity, especially in the development of energy storage,” while Javier Revuelta, Senior Principal at AFRY, described Aagesen as “hardworking, technical, and open to dialogue with the sector.” Alejandro Labanda of beBartlet added that she could “consolidate the ecological transition with a pragmatic and results-oriented approach.”

Pending Challenges in the Energy Transition

Her administration will face several critical challenges to consolidate advances in the energy transition and position Spain as a leader in clean energy.

Technology-specific Auctions and Grid Capacity Tenders
In her last press conference as Minister for the Ecological Transition, Teresa Ribera announced technology-specific auctions with new designs that incorporate storage more efficiently and profitably.

Thousands of megawatts of solar capacity from smaller-scale parks remain untapped. Additionally, many reserved grid nodes for capacity tenders have been delayed for over two years. “This won’t be easy as it’s one of the biggest challenges she will face, but I hope she addresses it effectively and quickly,” said Andrés Pinilla Antón, Iberia Sales Director for BESS at Mars Renewable.

Offshore Wind Regulation
The AEE emphasizes the need for a clear timeline to enable developers to plan investments securely. Spain has a unique opportunity to lead the floating offshore wind market. The approval of Royal Decree 962/2024 is a significant step, but swift implementation of specific regulations and auction planning is essential to ensure the economic viability of these projects.

Legal Uncertainty at the Regional Level
Ensuring legal certainty for renewable projects will be one of the greatest challenges. According to the AEE, judicial halts and new regional regulations create investor uncertainty. The minister must harmonize regulatory criteria with regional governments and foster public acceptance to secure long-term project viability.

Structural Reforms and Regulatory Bottlenecks
Javier Peón, former counselor at the National Energy Commission, highlighted that Aagesen must tackle “regulatory bottlenecks and pending structural reforms” that have dominated the energy sector’s agenda in recent years.

Biogas Development and Hydrogen Regulation
Diversifying the energy matrix through biogas remains an outstanding task. Oscar Bartomeu Orozco, Manager of Biovec, noted that this technology requires greater understanding and support from the government. Small- and medium-sized projects could complement energy supply while promoting a more sustainable and distributed model.

Hydrogen associations, meanwhile, await a regulatory framework, subsidies, and auctions to create a path to certainty. The goal is to operationalize 11 GW of electrolyzers by 2030, accelerating decarbonization in industry, transport, and housing while fostering demand growth.

Electric System Flexibility and Grid Modernization
Electrification of the economy will be a central focus in the coming years. Modernizing and expanding distribution networks to meet new energy demands will be crucial. Alicia Carrasco, CEO of olivoENERGY, highlighted the importance of advancing capacity markets, independent aggregators, and greater flexibility in the electric system.

Nuclear Energy Management
Although decisions regarding nuclear plant closures rest with companies, the government must provide a clear regulatory framework. Ismael Morales, Climate Policy Lead at Fundación Renovables, noted that the minister must define the future of this technology and address social and regulatory aspects.

Sector Expectations

One of the main positives emphasized by the sector is the continuity Aagesen represents, given her experience as Secretary of State and role in drafting the PNIEC.

Experts like José Luis Bernal, General Director of ITERH, hope her tenure will not only maintain current policies but also achieve more tangible operational results, consolidating progress in storage, green hydrogen, and offshore wind.

Bianca Dragomir from Cleantech for Iberia stressed that Aagesen’s leadership must focus on enhancing Spain’s clean competitiveness, positioning the country as a European industrial hub for clean technologies. Aligned auctions and innovative mechanisms will be critical.

Dialogue and Social Acceptance
Aagesen’s ability to engage with local communities and harmonize regional criteria is seen as a strength. Javier Fernández-Font, Vice President of UNEF, emphasized that this skill will be key to overcoming territorial tensions and fostering social acceptance of renewable projects.

Strengthening International Leadership
Spain has the opportunity to consolidate itself as a benchmark for ecological transition. Alejandro Labanda from beBartlet believes the minister must ensure that the progress in the European regulatory framework, such as the Green Industrial Deal, translates into concrete benefits for the Spanish value chain.

The energy sector trusts Sara Aagesen’s knowledge and experience to tackle pending challenges effectively. However, her ability to implement regulatory advances, accelerate the deployment of emerging technologies, and ensure legal certainty will determine the impact of her administration.

Established Career and International Vision

Born in Madrid in 1976, Sara Aagesen is a chemical engineer specialized in environmental science from the Complutense University of Madrid.

Her experience includes prominent roles in the Spanish Office for Climate Change and as Spain’s representative to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). As Secretary of State for Energy, she spearheaded initiatives such as the “Iberian exception,” which capped electricity prices during the European energy crisis.

Her career has earned her a strong reputation nationally and internationally, standing out for her technical analysis capabilities and strategic planning skills.