neither the Spanish government nor European institutions have committed to Musk’s idea as an official strategy. Photo credit: Joke van Eeghem/Shutterstock
Elon Musk has proposed transforming the sparsely populated regions of España vaciada (Empty Spain) into a major source of renewable electricity for Europe through large‑scale solar power. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the billionaire chief executive of Tesla and SpaceX said areas with low population density such as parts of rural Spain and Sicily could host solar installations capable of generating the continent’s electricity needs.
Musk made the comments during a wide‑ranging conversation with Larry Fink, chairman and chief executive of global investment firm BlackRock, focusing on energy, technology and future economic trends. He said the technology required to build such large solar installations already exists, and that what is needed now is the will and investment to deploy it.
“Relatively sparsely populated areas, such as parts of Spain and Sicily, could generate all the electricity Europe needs.” Musk said, suggesting that European energy security could be strengthened by leveraging geographical advantages and solar potential in regions with abundant sunshine and available land.
Musks Vision of Solar Energy in Europe
Solar potential and broader energy perspective
Musk pointed to examples abroad to underline his argument. He noted that China already operates solar farms producing hundreds of gigawatts per year, demonstrating that the infrastructure and capability are within reach. He said that similar projects in rural Spain or Sicily could, if implemented at scale, supply enough power for Europe’s needs.
During the discussion, Musk also referenced possible solar development in parts of the United States such as Nevada, Utah or New Mexico, suggesting that large desert or under‑utilised landscapes around the world could support utility‑scale solar power.
Energy experts say that solar power is already a significant component of the European renewable mix, with countries such as Spain and Germany having expanded capacity rapidly in recent years. However, the idea of dedicating extensive rural land exclusively to continental power generation at the scale Musk described has not yet been adopted as official policy by European governments.
Musk’s broader tech and energy comments at Davos
Robotics, AI and criticism of trade barriers
In addition to his remarks on solar power, Musk used the Davos platform to outline broader views on technology and the future economy.
He argued that robots will become increasingly common, predicting that in a relatively short timeframe there would be “more robots than people.” Musk said that Tesla’s humanoid robots, known as Optimus, are already performing simple tasks in the company’s factories and could be available for consumer purchase in 2027.
On artificial intelligence, Musk projected that AI could reach human‑level intelligence as early as late 2026 or 2027, and that AI capable of surpassing human collective reasoning might emerge by around 2030 or 2031. He emphasised the importance of caution in developing AI and robotics, warning against scenarios that resemble science fiction depictions of uncontrollable machines.
Musk also criticised certain US trade policies, particularly tariffs that increase the cost of importing solar cells from China, a move he said undermines broader deployment of renewable energy technologies by raising costs.
Response from European energy and political circles
No formal European endorsement yet
Officials in Spain and across Europe have acknowledged the potential of renewable energy and the value of expanding solar infrastructure, but the proposal to transform España vaciada into a continental energy hub remains an individual vision rather than a coordinated policy. Spain has its own national renewable ambitions, with solar and wind forming a growing share of the electricity mix, but large‑scale transnational energy projects would require extensive regulatory, environmental and economic planning.
At present, neither the Spanish government nor European institutions have committed to Musk’s idea as an official strategy. Experts caution that extensive deployment of solar installations at the level Musk described would involve significant land‑use planning, grid upgrades and financing frameworks before it could become a reality.
Key points
- Elon Musk proposed using rural Spanish regions (España vaciada) to build large solar farms for Europe.
- He spoke at the World Economic Forum in Davos during a conversation with BlackRock’s Larry Fink.
- Musk said existing technology could make such projects feasible if there is the will to implement them.
- He also commented on robotics advances, AI timelines and criticised US solar import tariffs.
- The idea has not been adopted as official energy policy in Spain or the EU.
Future energy implications
The concept of turning España vaciada into a major source of renewable electricity ties into broader debates about Europe’s energy independence, sustainability goals and post‑fossil‑fuel transition strategies. As European nations pursue climate targets, the role of utility‑scale solar power continues to receive attention from policymakers, investors and industry leaders. Whether Musk’s vision will spur new initiatives remains to be seen, but his comments add to ongoing conversations about the future of energy infrastructure in Europe.
