The session, moderated by the BASQUE ENERGY CLUSTER, was inaugurated by Irantzu Allende, the new Deputy Minister for Energy Transition of the Basque Government, who highlighted the Net-Zero Basque Industrial SuperCluster (NZBISC) initiative as a key driver in reducing emissions within the industry. She emphasized that the decarbonization goal represents, at the same time, a significant opportunity for technological and industrial development in the Basque Country.

Following the opening exposition, Cristina Oyón, Director of Technology, Innovation, and Sustainability at SPRI, took the floor to present the current status of the NZBISC initiative. She also outlined the key action lines of the 2024-2025 Work Plan. During her intervention, she provided a comprehensive overview of the new R&D projects and investments in decarbonization that have been approved under the 2024 calls of the various support mechanisms of the Basque Government.

Subsequently, Nora Fernandez, Project Manager at TECNALIA, presented the report titled "Analysis of the Emission Savings Potential through Oxycombustion and Challenges for Its Implementation in the Basque Country," developed by NZBISC. Jorge Visús, Combustion & Heat Treating Market Manager at NIPPON GASES, complemented this analysis with the presentation of several successful case studies on the implementation of oxycombustion technologies in energy-intensive industries.
The first session of the day concluded with the presentation of two decarbonization initiatives led by REPSOL-PETRONOR. Jose Ignacio Zudaire, Deputy CEO of PETRONOR, presented "Hard to Zero," a multisectoral initiative for the decarbonization of Euskadi's "hard-to-abate" industries. Meanwhile, Sandra Blázquez, Managing Director of ALL4ZERO, presented the proof-of-concept projects selected in the first Open Call of the technological innovation hub, which focuses on the development of technologies for decarbonization and the circular economy.

Following the coffee break, which provided attendees with networking opportunities, the session proceeded with two pitch presentations by entities offering decarbonization services or solutions. Aitor Erkoreka, Associate Professor in the Department of Energy Engineering at UPV/EHU, shared the lessons learned from his experience in conducting energy audits on high natural gas consumption equipment in industry. Following this, Iñigo Guinea, CEO of GHI SMART FURNACES, presented an approach to the decarbonization of the aluminium industry through various existing and emerging technologies, including oxycombustion and green hydrogen.

The session on collaborative R&D project presentations focused this time on the use of green hydrogen in industry. Itsaso Auzmendi, Hydrogen Business Line Manager at SARRALLE, presented the H-ACERO 2 project, which addresses the main technological challenges for the intensive use of hydrogen and oxygen in steel production processes. Meanwhile, David Simó, H2 Business Development at FAGOR EDERLAN, presented the H2EAT project, which focuses on the use of hydrogen in the Foundry sector for the production of aluminium automotive components.

To conclude the presentations, María Jaén, European Hydrogen Research Leader at EPRI, provided an overview of the projects currently underway in Europe on industrial applications of green hydrogen. To close the event, the BASQUE ENERGY CLUSTER presented a proposal for joint participation in the NET ZERO TECH 2025 fair to the group of companies comprising the Industrial Decarbonization Forum. This event, a leading decarbonization conference in Spain, will take place on June 4th and 5th, 2025, in Barcelona.

At the end of the event, a space was set up for bilateral B2B meetings aimed at fostering networking and mutual knowledge among attendees. In total, over 20 B2B meetings were held, providing participants with the opportunity to connect with various organizations and explore potential collaboration opportunities.