Andalusia’s regional government plans to strengthen the region’s position as an industrial and technology hub in southern Europe through programmes and incentive schemes worth more than €1.6 billion, University, Industry, Energy and Innovation Minister Jorge Paradela told a parliamentary committee. He said the new department’s remit brings together three goals: greater economic prosperity, more strategic autonomy in energy and raw materials, and stronger leadership based on knowledge.
The ministry is currently managing 56 support initiatives and programmes with associated funding of €993 million. A further 31 initiatives, worth €623 million, are in the pipeline, Paradela said.
In higher education, the stated priority is to help Andalusian universities reach their potential, improve their international competitiveness and strengthen links with society and businesses. The department plans to advance implementation of the Andalusian University Law (LUPA), approved in the previous legislative term. The law provides for protected funding, greater university autonomy and a focus on students. The ministry has established a directorate general for university funding, infrastructure and resources.
In research and innovation, the regional government plans to resume work on the ACTIVA law on the advancement of science, technology and innovation in Andalusia. It will be accompanied by a programme to attract, retain and establish research talent. New funding calls due before the end of 2026 are expected to make nearly €80 million available for research and knowledge transfer, including a second call for the Andalusian Knowledge System’s Units of Excellence and Competitive Research. The department also aims to raise investment in research, development and innovation to 2% of regional GDP.
Andalusia has 2,377 industrial estates in 541 municipalities, which the government says will be supported through the Andalusian Productive Areas Law. An open €50 million call will fund modernisation, followed by another worth €30 million. The ministry also plans to roll out the Andalusia Smart Region 2030 plan and continue InnovaAndalucía, which brings together innovation grants worth €59 million.
For industry, Paradela announced plans for an integrated scheme to attract and expand industrial activity for 2028–2032, including a single industrial contact point. The government also plans to update the Andalusian Aerospace Strategy and promote dual-use technologies and markets such as New Space, sustainable aviation and advanced logistics. Net-zero industrial valleys are planned for Huelva, Campo de Gibraltar and Lucena.
The regional development agency Andalucía TRADE is to add up to eight financial instruments during the remainder of 2026 and in 2027. These include €70 million for business research and development, €17 million for industrial research and experimental development, three venture-capital funds with initial funding of €60 million for startups, and €32.5 million in incentives for Industry 5.0 digital transformation.
For energy-efficiency improvements, the Andalusian Energy Agency has a budget of more than €273 million through the INEA programmes for households, businesses and vulnerable families, and the INCEA incentives for industry. The department also plans to support renewable-energy facilities, including agrivoltaics, and develop green hydrogen, biofuels, synthetic fuels and biomethane. Paradela said Andalusia’s electricity-grid density is 40% below the mainland average and that the ministry’s planning does not address the imbalance, which he said particularly affects Córdoba, Cádiz and Málaga. The regional government has appointed a commissioner for electrification to assess and improve supply quality and align infrastructure with industrial and social demand.
Under its Sustainable Mining Strategy for Andalusia 2030, the government plans a €40 million funding line for sustainable-mining projects. Paradela said 73 active mineral-exploration permits cover 80 municipalities and aim to locate around 50 minerals, including 27 classified as critical by the EU.
Entrepreneurship initiatives include a new Andalusian Entrepreneurship System, a plan to attract entrepreneurial talent and support for highly specialised and scalable business models. The department is organised into three general secretariats and five directorates general, with several agencies, foundations and science and technology parks attached to it.