CBC Business Mission to Spain – Bridging Innovation, Culture, and Cross-Sector Collaboration in CleanTech, Clean Hydrogen, and Clean Water

In a remarkable journey blending culture, leadership, and cleantech collaboration, the CleanTech Business Club (CBC) conducted a high-level business mission to the Basque Country, Spain—anchored in the dynamic cities of Bilbao and San Sebastián. This mission marked a key milestone in CBC’s global agenda to build meaningful bridges between industry pioneers, public institutions, and Clean Hydrogen visionaries from Europe, Africa, and China.

This was not just a business mission—it was a gathering of minds, a celebration of shared values, and a catalyst for transformative partnerships that will shape the future of energy, innovation, and sustainability.

Where Heritage Meets Vision: A Weekend of Cultural Inspiration

To set the stage, the CBC delegation immersed itself in the rich cultural heritage of Bilbao, starting with an awe-inspiring visit to the Guggenheim Museum. As modern art unfolded across daring shapes and bold visions, delegates were reminded that innovation is rooted not only in technology but in the human spirit—a spirit that dares to dream and transcend boundaries.

This sense of timeless inspiration continued over lunch at La Bilbaina, the oldest private club in the city and a true symbol of elegance and history.

Located in the heart of Bilbao, this 186-year-old institution opened its distinguished halls to CBC members for a reflective dialogue on legacy, leadership, and transformation.

Afternoon walks through the Old Town and architectural marvels like the Alhóndiga building offered a further reminder: that sustainability is not just a future ambition, but a bridge between past wisdom and future innovation. A visit to the coastal town of Plentzia—added a personal and scenic dimension to this cultural immersion.

Driving Innovation: Strategic Engagements with Technological Trailblazers

The business mission accelerated into action with a full-day program of strategic meetings and site visits, beginning with Tecnalia in San Sebastián—the largest applied research and development center in Spain and a European powerhouse in sustainable technology.

The delegation was welcomed at Tecnalia’s cutting-edge facilities in the Miramon Technology Park, where discussions unfolded on clean hydrogen technologies, energy storage innovations, and collaborative pathways for Morocco and Africa.

The CBC team introduced its groundbreaking joint venture Go For Hydrogen Africa (GFHA)—a regional clean hydrogen epicenter launched in Morocco—and explored how Tecnalia’s expertise in R&D and smart systems could accelerate the development of this vision.

Tecnalia’s deep involvement in clean hydrogen production, decarbonization strategies, and smart energy infrastructure made it a natural partner in CBC’s multi-continental mission. The visit served as both a deep dive into clean technology and an open invitation for future cooperation.

Exploring the Heart of Energy Innovation: The Energy Intelligence Centre (EIC)

The delegation continued its journey to the Energy Intelligence Centre (EIC)—a flagship hub of energy transition located in the Abanto Campus of the Basque Technology Park. Organized in collaboration with Petronor, a Repsol company and a major player in the Spanish hydrogen corridor, the visit offered a close look at Europe’s most advanced clean energy innovation center.

This impressive facility, powered entirely by clean hydrogen generated from 2.5 MW electrolyzer, showcased the integration of research labs, industrial testing spaces, and corporate offices—embodying a full-cycle approach to energy innovation. With leading companies like Tubacex, Vicinay, and AMPO housed under one roof, the EIC acts as a collaborative ecosystem dedicated to the future of fuels and industrial decarbonization.

A Dialogue of Leaders: Meetings with Strategic Partners

Back in Bilbao, the CBC delegation engaged with key ecosystem leaders to deepen collaboration opportunities.

A meeting with the Association for the Progress of Management (APD), led by its General Manager, opened discussions on integrating CleanTech innovation into executive leadership programs across Spain, Morocco, and Latin America. With APD’s influence among top business decision-makers, this conversation explored how to align leadership training with the cleantech transformation.

This was followed by a visit to the B Accelerator Tower (BAT), a prominent international entrepreneurship and innovation hub located in the heart of Bilbao. Situated in the iconic Torre Bizkaia on Gran Vía de Don Diego López de Haro, BAT was inaugurated in September 2022 with the aim of positioning Bizkaia as a leading center for innovation in Southern Europe.

BAT serves as a collaborative space for startups, SMEs, large corporations, investors, and research institutions. It offers co-working spaces, private offices, meeting rooms, and event areas, fostering an environment conducive to innovation and business development. The center is managed through a public-private partnership involving the Provincial Council of Bizkaia, the Bilbao City Council, PwC, Talent Garden, and Impact Hub.

By 2024, BAT had expanded its facilities, doubling its space to 8,000 square meters to accommodate the growing demand from the entrepreneurial ecosystem. It hosts over 120 startups, 40 corporations, and 50 innovation agents, and has launched several international acceleration programs to support technological and sustainable business projects.

As a catalyst for digital transformation and Industry 4.0, BAT brings together entrepreneurs, tech companies, and investors in a collaborative environment.

The CBC team explored how cleantech startups from the CBC ecosystem could benefit from BAT’s support programs, and how the platform could help anchor CBC’s World CleanTech StartUPs Summit and Startup Awards Ceremony in Bilbao.

A Symbolic Gathering at the Sociedad Bilbaina

One of the most memorable moments of the mission was the special reception held at the Sociedad Bilbaina—a prestigious institution founded in 1839. In this bastion of tradition, delegates reflected on the intersection of heritage and progress.

Warmly hosted by Dr. José Miguel Zaldo, CBC Honorary Chair for Morocco and Honorary Consul of Morocco in the Basque Country, the gathering underlined the importance of cultural diplomacy in building lasting business ties. Dr. Zaldo—renowned for bringing hundreds of Spanish companies to Morocco—joined CBC in articulating a shared mission: empowering Morocco and Africa to lead the global clean hydrogen transformation.

Setting the Stage for the 8th CBC Annual Leadership Forum

The mission also served as an official prelude to the upcoming 8th CBC Annual Leadership Forum, planned to take place in Bilbao.

The forum will unite actors from across the clean technology, utility, investment, and industrial sectors to co-develop high-impact initiatives under the banner:

“Capitalising Together on Multi-Trillion-Dollar Cross-Sectorial Opportunities #TogetherWeAreStronger”

The program will feature:

• The Joint CleanTech, Utilities & Energy Majors Leaders Summit

• The 1st World CleanTech StartUPs Summit co-hosted with IN4SFS (Investment Network for Sustainability-Focused Startups) Brokerage Event, Project Co-Funded by the European Union (Hybrid Event: Live & Online)

• The 1st Global Clean Hydrogen Hackathon, powered by ACWA Power

• The World CleanTech Torchbearers Night and the 2025 World CleanTech StartUPs Awards Ceremony

With its rich industrial legacy, strong innovation culture, Bilbao represents a symbolic and strategic location for the Forum. Moreover, Spain’s exceptional renewable resources and investment-friendly policies position it as a global leader in CleanTech, hydrogen, and water transformation.

Africa in Focus: Morocco’s Role in the Global Hydrogen Movement

Thanks to the gracious hospitality of Dr. José Miguel Zaldo—who has devoted much of his life to supporting Morocco and Africa’s economic advancement—this mission was deeply rooted in a shared commitment to impact. At its core was a bold vision: to position Morocco and Africa not merely as participants, but as architects of the global clean hydrogen era.

Through Go For Hydrogen Africa (GFHA), the CBC’s flagship joint venture in Morocco, we are actively building a comprehensive clean hydrogen value chain—from production and storage to mobility and localized manufacturing.

GFHA exemplifies a powerful collaborative model that unites Chinese industrial expertise, Moroccan leadership, and European innovation under the CBC’s guiding ethos of #TogetherWeAreStronger. With the backing of global CleanTech pioneers, financial institutions, and strategic partners, GFHA is already laying the foundation for hydrogen infrastructure, O&M services, and “Made in Morocco” CleanTech equipment.

A Mission That Transcends Borders

The CBC Business Mission to Spain was not only about fostering partnerships—it was a declaration of intent. It reminded all participants that the path to a sustainable, equitable, and innovative future is built not just on projects, but on relationships, vision, and shared purpose.

Spain’s vibrant energy sector, forward-thinking institutions, and openness to international collaboration have made it a vital ally on CBC’s global journey.