SPAIN: BRINGING RENEWABLE ENERGY TO THE U.S. AND BEYOND
Thursday, September 17, 2009
5:30 p.m.
107 Hesburgh Library Auditorium

Enrique Alejo
Economic and Commercial Counselor of Spain for the Midwest
Trade Commission of Spain (TCS) in Chicago

Why is Spain home to some of the world's largest, most successful producers of renewable energy? 

Keys to Spain’s success in the renewable energy sector include: strong government backing, profitable investments and availability of natural resources.

  • By the end of 2008 Spain installed 16, 470 MW of wind capacity and was the third largest producer of wind energy globally and first per capita.
  • In 2008, solar installed capacity was over 3.1 GW, making Spain the second largest producer of solar power in the world.
  • Spain is a key producer of ethanol and biodiesel in Europe and companies such as Abengoa, Acciona and Repsol are bringing their expertise to other areas of the world, such as the U.S.

From advanced photovoltaics and high-yield solar farms to state-of-the-art wind turbines and biofuels, Spanish companies are generating solutions to make renewable energy available for everyone.

Enr?que Alejo currently serves as the Economic and Commercial Counselor of Spain for the Midwest at the Trade Commission of Spain (TCS) in Chicago.  Prior to his assignment at TCS, he has held various positions in the economic and commercial fields with the Spanish administration.  He has served as Director-General of Trade and Investments in the Ministry of Economy, with a variety of responsibilities ranging from management of commercial policies to international assistance programs. 

As president and CEO of the “Sociedad Estatal Madrid ’94,” Mr. Alejo was in charge of organizing the Assembly of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in Madrid in 1994.  He was also Director for “Informacion Comercial Española,” an economic magazine edited by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Finance; and Director of the Division of Professional Training, International Consulting and Publications for the Spanish Institute of Foreign Trade (ICEX).  

Mr. Alejo earned a Ph.D. in Economics from Universidad Complutense de Madrid and an undergraduate degree in Economics from Universidad Autonoma de Madrid. 

About the Trade Commission of Spain
The Trade Commission of Spain in Chicago, as part of the network of Commercial Offices of the Spanish Institute of Foreign Trade (ICEX), assists and promotes Spanish firms entering the U.S. market, as well as American firms seeking investment in Spanish products.  Focusing on industry and technology, the Trade Commission of Spain provides economic and trade-related information to Spanish companies seeking opportunities in the U.S.  Other promotional activities include organizing direct and reverse missions, as well as trade show participation.