• The non-legislative proposal (PNL) integrates the energy dimension into the forthcoming National Security Strategy, elevating it to the highest strategic level of the State. This implies that industry decisions regarding energy mix, investments, and technologies could be considered through the lens of national security.

  • The parliamentary mandate urges the reinforcement of critical infrastructure protection protocols— a measure that Foro Industria y Energía believes should be explicitly extended to renewable energy facilities due to their strategic role.

  • The PNL promotes comprehensive use of all energy sources without ideological vetoes, enabling industry to diversify its matrix by prioritizing efficiency and reliability.

  • Although non-binding, the PNL’s approval prompts serious reflection on critical infrastructure and may signal emerging trends in industrial energy management.

4 July 2025

At Foro Industria y Energía (FIE), we have been closely following recent parliamentary developments that once again underscore the intrinsic link between energy and national security. The non-legislative proposal (Proposición No de Ley, PNL) approved by the Joint Committee on National Security on 17 June 2025, though non-binding, represents a strong political stance from Parliament urging the executive branch to act. For our Forum, it opens the door to deep reflection on critical infrastructure, future trends in energy management, and evolving strategic approaches. Far from being a mere formality, the PNL marks a turning point in the understanding of energy as a vital strategic asset for Spain’s national security. It is a clear signal— a call to action that resonates particularly strongly within the industrial sector, which depends intrinsically on a reliable and secure energy supply. The PNL consolidates long-discussed concerns and objectives, charting a roadmap that, if implemented with determination, could safeguard our energy future and, by extension, the competitiveness and resilience of our industry.

Critical infrastructure at the heart of energy security

Foro Industria y Energía has long warned of the evolving concept of critical infrastructure in the context of the energy transition. As we explained in our article “Are renewable installations critical infrastructure? Reflections on energy sovereignty”, the VUCA world (volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous) we live in turns energy into a key tool in hybrid strategies. Within this landscape, and given Spain’s undeniable shift toward domestic energy sources like wind and solar to achieve sovereignty, one fundamental question arises: If renewables are the solution to our energy dependency, shouldn’t their installations be explicitly considered critical infrastructure?

While the PNL emphasizes the protection of “critical infrastructure” in general and advocates for a diversified energy model, our Forum had already stressed the urgent need to specify and elevate the status of renewable facilities within that category. There is no contradiction here—only alignment: the PNL provides the framework for protection, and our reflection identifies what should be prioritized in the new paradigm. Therefore, when the PNL calls for updated and reinforced critical infrastructure protection protocols—incorporating scenarios such as systemic failure, hybrid cyberattacks, and energy sabotage—this has deep implications for industrial energy management.

Companies, especially those with a high degree of photovoltaic or wind self-consumption, or that rely on PPAs with specific renewable parks, may begin to consider their own energy assets as high-protection strategic points. It’s no longer just about traditional substations or high-voltage lines; now, a rooftop solar plant or an on-site battery system may become an asset whose disruption has direct implications for national security and industrial continuity.

Breaking down the mandate: key PNL measures and their relevance for industry

Beyond critical infrastructure protection, the PNL outlines a set of additional measures that together sketch out a safer, more robust energy landscape—with direct implications for the industrial sector:

Energy interconnections

The PNL calls for the urgent implementation of a National Energy Interconnection Plan with Europe and neighboring countries such as France and Portugal, considering it a national security measure. For industry, a stronger and more resilient grid translates into reduced risk of supply interruptions and greater price stability. Access to a broader, geographically diverse energy market may benefit businesses—especially electro-intensive ones—by ensuring greater predictability and fewer production disruptions.

The blackout’s echo: lessons learned for industrial resilience

The PNL requests a detailed report on the impact of the recent blackout on the national power infrastructure and on defense and security systems. While this report could serve as a roadmap for identifying system vulnerabilities, Foro Industria y Energía considers that the technical report published by the committee analyzing the 28 April 2025 crisis did not fully address concerns and, in fact, added new layers of complexity to industrial energy planning—compounded by divergent analyses from entities like Red Eléctrica and the CNMC.

Integrating energy into the National Security Strategy

One of the PNL’s key points is the prioritization of energy within the upcoming National Security Strategy, including indicators of vulnerability and resilience. This elevates energy to the highest strategic level of the State. For industry, it means that decisions about its energy mix, investments in efficiency and decarbonization, or the adoption of clean technologies will not only have economic or environmental implications—but will also be assessed from a national security perspective.

Transparency and accountability: oversight as a safeguard

The PNL promotes continuous parliamentary oversight of energy security measures, including regular hearings with relevant agencies. For industry, this fosters greater transparency and predictability in energy policy. It suggests that future regulations and guidelines related to energy security will be under constant scrutiny, potentially leading to a more stable and predictable framework for long-term investment planning.

Toward a diversified and sovereign energy model: the National Energy Sovereignty Plan

The PNL’s overarching goal is to establish a diversified, stable, and technologically viable energy model centered on Spain’s strategic interests, through a National Energy Sovereignty Plan. This comprehensive plan rests on several core pillars, each with clear industrial implications:

  • Comprehensive use of energy sources: The PNL advocates for the pragmatic and technical use of all available energy sources, removing ideological barriers. This enables industry to explore and diversify its energy mix without restrictions, prioritizing efficiency, availability, and reliability.

  • Recognition and support for nuclear energy: The PNL calls for recognizing the essential role of nuclear energy in system stability—extending the lifespan of existing plants and planning new ones. For industry, this means a stable baseload power source that is independent of weather or geopolitical factors, offering long-term price and supply predictability.

  • Promotion of energy storage: The PNL highlights the need to promote energy storage, particularly by leveraging existing hydroelectric infrastructure for pumped storage. Industry can directly benefit from greater flexibility in demand and consumption management—allowing it to optimize costs by consuming during low-demand, lower-price periods, and increasing resilience to supply fluctuations.

  • Development of key energy infrastructures and facilities: The PNL urges the expansion and modernization of key energy infrastructure to ensure stability and predictability of supply. This benefits industry by providing more reliable energy access and supporting the connection of new distributed generation or self-consumption projects.

  • Eliminating distortions and speculation: The PNL aims to eliminate distortions caused by lobbies or speculative interests, advocating for national energy planning based on technical and strategic criteria. For industry, this could mean a fairer, more transparent energy market—with more stable and predictable prices, less influenced by non-technical factors.

  • Approval of a National Water Plan: The PNL includes the adoption of a National Water Plan that addresses basin interconnection and the construction of new reservoirs. This is vital not only for human and agricultural consumption, but also for many industrial processes and hydroelectric power generation—ensuring the continuity of operations and stability of energy production.

In summary, the PNL from the Joint Committee on National Security seeks to consolidate energy as a fundamental pillar of national security— a vital recognition for Spain’s future. From the perspective of Foro Industria y Energía, the message is clear: protecting and strengthening critical infrastructure—particularly with a focus on integrating and enhancing the resilience of renewable energy—is a non-negotiable priority.
Recent events, such as the blackout’s aftermath, remind us that despite progress, uncertainty and the need for absolute transparency in industrial energy planning persist. However, this parliamentary mandate not only identifies vulnerabilities; it also offers a tangible roadmap for progress—from boosting interconnections and storage to more robust planning and increased industrial involvement in system stability.
Spanish industry is not merely a consumer. It stands as a strategic, indispensable player in building a more robust, predictable, and autonomous energy model—ensuring its own competitiveness while making a decisive contribution to the country’s energy resilience and sovereignty.