New AEMET statute 2026: what changes for agriculture, energy and aviation

Key data

Sectors dependent on official meteorological and climatological data have a new reference framework as of April 9, 2026. The Royal Decree 299/2026 approves the new Statute of the State Agency for Meteorology (AEMET), substantially updating its legal structure, governance bodies and operating regime.

This is not a cosmetic change. The regulation redefines what AEMET is, what it can do and how it relates to other administrations and international organizations. For companies in aviation, renewable energy, precision agriculture or climate risk management, this can translate into changes in contacts, procedures and conditions for accessing official data that underpin their operations.

What does this regulation establish?

Royal Decree 299/2026 approves the AEMET Statute and regulates the following key aspects:

The regulation modernizes AEMET's institutional structure to adapt it to current needs of meteorological and climate services, which have grown in complexity and demand in recent years.

Economic and operational impact

This Royal Decree does not establish new fees or direct costs for private companies. Its impact is primarily organizational and institutional. However, it has real operational consequences for sectors that integrate AEMET data into their processes:

• Agriculture: Early warning systems, irrigation planning and agricultural insurance depend on AEMET data. A change in internal structure can affect data provision channels or collaboration agreements.
• Aviation: Air operations require certified meteorological data. The redefinition of functions and competencies may involve reviewing protocols with air navigation service providers.
• Energy: Renewable energy companies (wind, solar) use meteorological forecasts to optimize production and manage contracts in the electricity market. The stability and quality of official data is critical.
• Emergency management: Administrations and risk management companies must know whether alert and coordination protocols change with AEMET's new structure.

The most relevant impact for the private sector is the possible update of the channels, formats and conditions under which AEMET provides official data, especially if there are existing contracts or agreements that reference the previous structure.

Who does it affect?

• AEMET and its personnel: new governance structure, management and personnel regime.
• Public administrations that collaborate with or depend on AEMET for emergency services, territorial planning or environmental matters.
• Agricultural and agribusiness sector: companies and cooperatives that use meteorological data for crop planning, insurance and alerts.
• Aviation sector: airlines, airports and air navigation service providers.
• Energy sector: renewable energy companies, system operators and electricity retailers that use meteorological forecasts.
• Emergency management and civil protection: public and private entities that operate alert and response systems for extreme weather phenomena.
• International organizations with which AEMET maintains institutional relations, which may see updated collaboration frameworks.

Practical example

A wind energy company operating several parks in Spain has contracts for access to AEMET meteorological forecast data to optimize its production and positions in the electricity market. With the new statute, AEMET's governance structure and management bodies are updated.

What this company must do immediately: review whether its service contracts or agreements with AEMET reference specific bodies, positions or procedures from the previous structure. If so, it must contact AEMET to confirm the validity of those agreements under the new statutory framework and update the documents if necessary. Failing to do so could create legal uncertainty in case of a claim or audit.

What should companies do now?

1. Identify whether you use official AEMET data in your operations, risk models, insurance contracts or alert systems. If the answer is yes, this regulation affects you.
2. Review existing contracts and agreements with AEMET to detect references to the previous organizational structure (bodies, positions, procedures). Update them if necessary.
3. Contact AEMET to confirm that data provision channels and usual contacts remain the same or have changed with the new structure.
4. Update internal procedures that depend on official meteorological data or alerts, especially in regulated sectors such as aviation or emergency management.
5. Follow AEMET communications about possible changes in formats, APIs or data access conditions resulting from institutional modernization.