GREEN DEAL IMPERATIVES: THE DIRECT APPLICABILITY OF AFIR AND TRANSPOSITION OF RED III AS CATALYSTS FOR SPANISH NATIONAL ENERGY AND TRANSPORT POLICY

This article critically examines the profound influence of the European Union's Alternative FuelsInfrastructure Regulation (AFIR) and the Revised Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) onSpain's national energy and transport policy. Distinguishing between AFIR's direct applicabilityand RED III's requirement for national transposition, the analysis delves into how theselegislative instruments, integral to the EU's "Fit for 55" package, are driving Spain'sdecarbonization efforts. It assesses the current state of infrastructure development, the alignmentof Spain's National Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC) with EU targets, and the significantinvestments mobilized. Furthermore, the article identifies key implementation challenges,including complex permitting procedures, grid integration issues, and the imperative foreffective stakeholder engagement, while highlighting the substantial economic and industrialopportunities for Spain in becoming a leader in the green energy transition. The findingsunderscore the dual role of EU directives as both regulatory drivers and strategic enablers forSpain's ambitious climate goals.