Lost (and found) in Transition: Expert stakeholder insights on low-carbon energy transitions in Spain

Abstract

Despite losing its low-carbon energy transition path in the last decade, Spain, since 2017, has picked up its commitment to complying with the objectives set out in the Paris Agreement for ratcheting 2030 and 2050 ambitions. This research departs from an extensive in-depth expert stakeholder engagement, proposing a research process of scoping: reaching out to academics, NGOs, administrators, energy providers and the private sector among other agents that guide the future of transitions in Spain; listening: identifying, through interviews, the knowledge gaps; understanding: manifesting answers of the multitude of over 200 expert stakeholders and participating: extending out and disseminating results. We present five central emerging themes on: ambitions and temporalities of targets highlighting ambition gaps across stakeholder groups for 2030 and 2050 objectives; the future of carbon and nuclear energy pushing for eventual closure of both across distinct points in time; the rollout of renewable energy technologies in a transition pursuit; preferences on fiscal and policy measures to facilitate investments and priority sectors of action and ultimately discuss gender equality and justice, and the lack thereof, in energy decision making. Our research summons up the delicate intricacies of the transition debate in Spain, setting a discursive space in hopes of contributing to the future design of the Law on Climate Change and Energy Transition.