Spain’s Industrial Evolution and Energy Landscape
Activities and Industrial Areas
Introduction
Industrial activities are crucial for global and national economies, driving economic development and transforming the role of primary products. However, in post-industrial societies, these activities contribute less to GDP and employment (18%) compared to tertiary activities. Spain’s industry is undergoing continuous change, affecting industrial landscapes, activity types, and regional development.
Materials and Sources of Energy
Raw materials are resources for obtaining products. They are classified into organic (agriculture, livestock, forestry) and mineral (metallic, non-metallic, industrial rock). Currently, mining faces challenges due to low-quality products and profitability, except for industrial rocks meeting domestic demand.
Energy sources are vital for transforming raw materials. Energy consumption is steadily increasing. Spain ranks fifth in the EU for energy and raw material consumption, behind Germany, France, Britain, and Italy. Spain faces energy dependence, with consumption exceeding production (23% self-sufficiency), necessitating imports of oil, natural gas, and coal.
- Oil: Mineral oil, a hydrocarbon mixture in sedimentary layers, is the primary energy source, replacing coal in the 1960s.
- Natural gas: A gaseous hydrocarbon mixture, associated with oil reservoirs, expanded after the oil crisis and complements oil, with growing consumption.
- Nuclear Energy: Obtained from uranium fission, it’s controversial but used for electricity. Its expansion halted in 1984 due to safety concerns.
- Coal: The main energy source in the first and second industrial revolutions, replaced by oil in 1960. Used as fuel, in coke industry, for domestic gas, and chemical products.
- Electricity: Not a primary source, generated from hydropower, thermal, or renewable sources. Hydropower is clean but faces weather variability and infrastructure costs. Micro-power plants are trending.
- Renewable Energy Sources: Present since 1975, but implementation has been slow.
Industrialization Process in Spain
Spain’s industrialization has four stages:
- 1855-1959: Failed industrial revolution, limited to Catalonia, Basque Country, and Madrid.
- 1959-1975: Consolidation phase with European market integration, driven by migration, foreign investment, and tourism.
- 1975-1985: Crisis and restructuring due to external factors and political instability.
- 1986-Present: Integration and internationalization, with globalization and EU membership.
Industrial Sectors
Mature Industries in Conversion: Facing crisis due to demand changes, reduced competitiveness, or EU policies.
Dynamic Industrial Sectors: Strong future prospects, flexible structures, high productivity, and foreign capital presence (e.g., automotive, food, construction).
Cutting-Edge Industrial Sectors: Delayed implementation in Spain due to foreign technology dependence, small enterprise size, and limited workforce adaptation.
Conclusions
Spain’s industry faces challenges like low R&D investment, small business size, high energy costs, and limited labor market flexibility, leading to lower productivity. Development relies on construction and tourism. Employment creation has been limited, but productivity improvements and labor reforms are bringing changes.
Developed Industrial Areas
Madrid and Barcelona are major industrial hubs, experiencing both decline in mature sectors and growth in dynamic industries. Industrial parks and technology centers are prominent, blurring lines with the quaternary sector.
Declining Industrial Areas
Asturias, Cantabria, Ferrol, Cadiz Bay, Puertollano, and Ponferrada face crises in mature sectors, with large, poorly qualified workforces and environmental issues exacerbated by EU policies.
Industrial Enclaves
Areas like Valladolid, Burgos, Seville, Cadiz, and Huelva have isolated industrial activity surrounded by industrial deserts.
Small Industrialization Areas
Castilla-La Mancha, Extremadura, Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, and eastern Andalusia are emerging, with Castilla-La Mancha benefiting from Madrid’s industrial expansion.