Video: @salvadorilla / X
€2.5bn Plan to Upgrade 2,430 Schools
Catalan President Salvador Illa announced on Monday 14 September 2026 a €2.5 billion investment to climate-control all publicly owned schools in Catalonia over the next five years. The Pla Actualitza Clima will target 2,430 educational centres across the region, excluding schools in Barcelona city, which are covered by a separate municipal strategy. The plan will be formally approved at Tuesday’s Consell Executiu meeting, according to the Generalitat. The initiative aims to modernise 7.6 million square metres of outdated school infrastructure, creating a fully decarbonised and resilient educational estate. Illa made the announcement during a speech at the Maritime Museum of Barcelona, marking the midpoint of his term under the slogan 'The future is here'.
Three-Phase Rollout from 2026 to 2031
The strategy is structured in three phases. The first, a €20 million emergency measure launched in April 2026, has already delivered fans to 392 schools for immediate relief. The second phase, backed by €100 million, will fully climate-control 100 priority schools by the end of the 2027–2028 academic year. These schools will receive mechanical ventilation and renewable energy systems. The final phase, spanning 2027 to 2031, will deploy the remaining funds through public-private collaboration and other financing mechanisms. Local councils may opt in to fast-track works, using their own resources or low-interest loans from the Catalan Institute of Finance (ICF), with reimbursement from the Generalitat.
Prioritisation Based on Risk and Need
Centres are selected based on technical and climatic factors, student vulnerability, safety risks, and territorial balance. Priority is given to schools in extreme climate zones, those with south-facing classrooms, and buildings with high internal heat retention. Schools serving students more sensitive to heat and those with documented occupational hazard reports are also fast-tracked. The Department of Education will execute most works through Infraestructures.cat, the public infrastructure agency. The Generalitat will also task the Consell d’Educació de Catalunya with leading a broad societal and political debate on the future of education, aiming for a new consensus on system-wide reform.
We are playing for the country we will have in ten years,
Illa stated, stressing that bringing Catalan education to excellence is essential for the region’s future. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reach 6% of public spending on education, as mandated by the 2009 education law.
Barcelona Pursues Separate Strategy
Barcelona’s municipal schools are not part of the Pla Actualitza Clima. The city council is implementing its own €100 million Clima Escola Barcelona plan, funded by tourist tax revenues. Work has already begun on 24 schools across eight districts, installing aerothermal systems and solar panels. The goal is to upgrade 170 schools within six years, improving air quality and thermal comfort for around 55,000 students.
Primary sources: Generalitat de Catalunya, Barcelona City Council, govern.cat, Generalitat de Catalunya. Departament d'Educació. Reported by elplural.com, europapress.es, elperiodico.com, elnacional.cat, El Periódico.
