The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Haizea Wind Group have entered into a €35 million green loan agreement. This loan will support Haizea in implementing advanced manufacturing technologies, automating and digitalizing processes, and advancing research and development in the production and assembly of large metal structures for wind turbines, including wind towers, monopile foundations, and offshore wind park transition pieces.
Gilles Badot, EIB director of operations for Spain and Portugal, commented, “Loans like the one we are signing with Haizea today reflect the EIB's commitment to innovation and the development of renewable energy technologies enabling us to move forward with the energy transition and strengthening the competitiveness of our companies. A robust renewable technology manufacturing sector is vital to guaranteeing the European Union's energy security and autonomy.”
This loan aligns with the EIB's innovation support and falls under its climate action and environmental sustainability priorities. Haizea's role as a provider of equipment and structures to the energy sector also supports the REPowerEU plan's objective of enhancing energy security and reducing EU dependence on fossil fuels.
The loan is backed by the InvestEU programme, which aims to mobilize public and private sector funds in support of EU policy goals. Alvaro Quintana, Haizea Wind Group finance director, stated, “The signing of this loan with the EIB is part of Haizea Wind Group's goal of helping its clients work towards a more sustainable economy by supplying large metal pieces like towers, transition pieces and large-diameter monopiles – currently key parts of the offshore wind power supply chain to achieve the green transition. The trust the EIB has shown by signing with us this green loan will enable us to implement advanced manufacturing technologies and move forward with research and development applied to the manufacture and assembly of large metal structures for wind turbines.”
In 2023, the EIB Group provided over €21 billion in financing for energy security in Europe, with €4.5 billion allocated to Spain for renewable energy, energy efficiency, power grids, and storage systems. These investments are aimed at accelerating Europe's transition to sustainable energy and reducing reliance on fossil fuel imports.
In July 2023, the EIB board of directors increased the funding for REPowerEU projects to €45 billion. To further support the EU manufacturing industry, the EIB will expand the range of eligible sectors to include leading strategic technologies with net-zero carbon emissions, as well as the extraction, processing, and recycling of critical raw materials. The additional financing is expected to mobilize over €150 billion in investment in these target sectors by 2027.
