Greening the steel industry in the Spanish town of Avilés

Avilés is a city in Asturias, in the north of Spain, with a deep-rooted industrial tradition. Due to the increase in coal production, the iron and steel industry and thermal power stations, which are closely linked to coal mining, were established in Avilés in the middle of the 20th century.
In recent years, Avilés has transformed polluting industrial areas into spaces for renewable energy companies, making the city more environmentally sustainable. And not only has it been able to transform its urban fabric thanks to the arrival of these companies, but it has also incorporated works of great cultural prestige, such as the Niemeyer Centre, located in the heart of the Avilés estuary.
All this has been made possible thanks to the green policies implemented by the regional government, which is committed to a more sustainable environment and the fight against climate change, as well as the support received at European level.
Avilés is leading the EU-funded IN4GREEN project, which aims to make industrial cities more sustainable through energy savings, sustainable energy and the promotion of green hydrogen.
The 10 cities involved in the project are cities with a strong industrial background and a common goal: to find a balance between their industrial activities and maintaining the quality of life of their citizens.
263 million of the Just Transition Fund will go to Asturias, 30% of the total allocated to Spain, key investments for the transition from traditional to zero emission industries.
Watch the video with Guillermo Peláez Álvarez, Regional Minister for Finance and European Funds and Spokesperson for the Government of the Principality of Asturias, to learn more about how a city deeply rooted in traditional industry has been able to transform itself into a more environmentally sustainable city.
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