• The opinion survey, aimed at representatives of the more than 220 organizations that belong to the cluster, and other relevant agents in the energy field, look to find out the current state of the sector.

• According to the results, 84% of the organizations in the sector call for simplifying the administrative procedures to keep developing the energy transition process.

• Regarding cluster members, 69% of the organizations claim that they will increase sales during the next year, of which 43% affirm that this increase will be over 10%.

84% of companies and organizations in the catalan energy sector call for the simplification of administrative procedures as the main measure to be implemented in order to keep developing the energy transition process. This is one of the conclusions that the Energy Barometer 2023 of the Catalan Energy Cluster reveals, as the administration struggles to increment its capacity for processing renewable energy projects and delivering financial aid. This is an opinion survey that the cluster carries out annually with the aim of knowing the state of the energy sector.

The survey has been sent to the representatives of the more than 220 organizations that make up the cluster and other relevant actors and companies in the energy sector in Catalonia, with questions regarding the evolution of the companies and organizations that are part of it, sales forecasts, topics of general interest in the energy sector and other matters related to the membership of the Catalan Energy Cluster.

Before the delay in processing financial aid as well as in the approval of renewable energy projects, the sector calls for simplifying the bureaucratic barriers. According to the results, 84% of the representatives of the organizations surveyed are calling on the administrations, both local and state, to simplify these procedures in order to continue developing the energy transition process. In this sense, more than 50% also ask to implement fiscal incentives and develop instruments that foster public-private collaboration.

On the other hand, after 3 years since the beginning of the Next Generation programme, the survey also asked for the opinion on the impact of the European funds. The sector continues to point out the mobilization of resources as one of the main benefits (56%) along with the increasing concern on environmental issues (37%). Even so, 59% of the organizations still consider the excess of bureaucracy to be one of their main shortcomings as well as the difficulty of accessing the different programs (32%).

With regard to the evolution of the different organizations that make up the cluster, 68% of members claim that sales have increased, of which 43% with an increase of 10%. The figures are similar in relation to the sales forecast for next year, and 69% of members say they will increase them, with 43% placing this increase above 10%. At the same time, according to cluster’ partners, investment will also grow: 68% of surveyed organizations claim that it will increase, while 28% believe it will increase by more than 10%.

Regarding employment in the energy sector, among the associates data reveal a sustained increase in the number of hires. Out of the surveyed partners, 60% affirm that they increased the number of hires in the last year, 35% of which by more than 10%. This optimism is also reflected in the forecasts. 53% of associates anticipate that the number of people employed within their organization will increase, 27% of which by more than 10%.

The CEEC members also give their opinion on their belonging to the cluster and specifically on the events and services that the organization should develop. Associates continue to prioritize networking actions and events and 59% of members ask to keep promoting this area. Secondly, the promotion of collaborative projects (46%) and the consolidation of the cluster as a key actor in the sector (41%) are also priority aspects for the CEEC members, according to the survey.

If you want to get more information about the data and results, you may contact the cluster at [email protected].