Companies integrated into the Association of Chemical, Basic, and Energy Industries of Huelva (AIQBE) have set a historical milestone by registering an investment of 827 million euros in 2025. This figure represents the third consecutive record and places Huelva's industrial complex at the epicenter of the continental energy transformation.
The annual report of AIQBE, presented during its 40th anniversary, highlights the sector's modernization through strategic projects. These include the second-generation biofuel plant by Moeve and Bio-Oils and Atlantic Copper's CirCular initiative, focused on recovering critical metals from electronic waste.
The president of AIQBE, Juan del Olmo, emphasized the companies' confidence in Huelva and its capacity to lead the new European industry. Meanwhile, the acting Minister of Industry, Energy, and Mines of the Regional Government of Andalusia, Jorge Paradela, reaffirmed Huelva's position as one of the major industrial hubs in Andalusia and Europe for the transition towards a green, emission-free industry.
Huelva's industrial sector is a fundamental driver for provincial employment, sustaining 23,303 jobs, which accounts for over 10.3% of the total. Of these, 3,390 are direct jobs, 4,171 from auxiliary companies, and it is estimated that for every direct job, six more are generated in the province's overall economy.
The associated companies' activity generates 2.161 billion euros, equivalent to 19% of the province's Gross Value Added (GVA). The report also details that 90% of contracts are permanent, and salaries double the provincial average, reflecting the generation of high-value-added employment.
Projects focused on decarbonization, circular economy, and energy efficiency, such as the biofuel plant by Moeve and Bio-Oils and Atlantic Copper's CirCular initiative, along with Enagás's role in renewable hydrogen infrastructure, mark this new phase. Companies allocated over 179 million euros to R&D and 272 million to environmental protection and energy efficiency.
Training is another key pillar, with over 285,000 hours provided in 2025. Female presence in the workforce reaches 17.4%, rising to 29% among those under 26. 85% of generated waste was recycled or recovered, and accident rates remain below national averages.
