The Basque Minister for Industry, Energy Transition and Sustainability, Mikel Jauregi, presented his department’s draft budget for 2027 at the Parlamento Vasco . The plan allocates €676.1 million, 3.9 per cent more than in 2026. According to the government, its own funding, excluding the Recovery and Resilience Facility, is increasing by 6 per cent. The proposal follows the Plan de Industria Euskadi 2030 and brings together measures under the three pillars “Más industria”, “Mejor industria” and “Menos emisiones”.
Key elements of the industry pillar include investment to strengthen medium-sized industrial companies, complete strategic value chains and attract new projects. The Dibertsifika programme is set to receive €62 million for 2027 and 2028 to support productive investment in small and large businesses. In addition, cluster support targets transformative initiatives and new establishments, backed by measures to support business succession in strategic industries.
For technological progress (“Mejor industria”), the proposal earmarks €137 million for the Hazitek innovation programme. A newly established innovation fund is set to receive €25.5 million to accelerate technology transfer and link transformation projects to the “lighthouses of innovation”. €35.4 million is allocated to technological infrastructure, including the development of a hub for renewable fuels and new architectures in aircraft propulsion. Funding is also planned to promote the use of artificial intelligence in industrial SMEs.
Under “Menos emisiones”, the focus is on the energy transition and security of supply. The Eguzki Hotz programme has a budget of €120 million for sustainable climate-control systems. The Mapa EVE aims to mobilise a total of €80 million by 2030 for new wind and photovoltaic facilities and to support the expansion of energy infrastructure. The goal is a more competitive, lower-emission industry and greater strategic autonomy.
Jauregi justified the priorities by pointing to international uncertainty in trade and energy. Statements attributed to him highlight the need for greater European capacity to act, underpinned by energy autonomy and industrial expansion. The proposal continues transformation projects begun during this parliamentary term, which, according to the government, have generated investments worth hundreds of millions since they began. The measures require parliamentary scrutiny and approval; the proposal contains no binding commitments on their impact.
The presentation to parliament marks the start of the 2027 budget process. The government highlights simplifying administrative procedures between businesses and the administration as a cross-cutting goal, to make support measures effective more quickly.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).