Key data
| Regulation | Resolution of May 26, 2026 from CIEMAT — Amendment for modification and extension of the Agreement with Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt eV (DLR) |
|---|---|
| BOE Publication | June 4, 2026 |
| Entry into force | May 22, 2026 (after registration in the State Electronic Registry of Cooperation Bodies and Instruments) |
| Agreement validity | Until May 23, 2030 |
| Signatory parties | CIEMAT (Spain) and DLR — Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt eV (Germany) |
| Collaboration headquarters | Almería Solar Platform (PSA) |
| Cost per DLR position | €64,481.34 annually |
| Cost for short-stay students | 25% of the annual base (€64,481.34), prorated by duration |
| Category | Energy |
| BOE Reference | BOE-A-2026-12023 |
The DLR (German Aerospace Center) will continue operating at the Almería Solar Platform at least until 2030, but with updated economic conditions. The amendment published on June 4, 2026 in the BOE (BOE-A-2026-12023) modifies and extends the original agreement signed in 2022, establishing the specific amounts that the German organization must pay for the presence of its personnel at the Spanish facilities.
This bilateral agreement strengthens Spanish-German collaboration in concentrated solar energy research and associated technologies, a strategic field in the context of Europe's energy transition.
What does this regulation establish?
The amendment modifies the cooperation agreement between CIEMAT and DLR in force since 2022, updating two fundamental aspects: the duration of the agreement and the economic conditions applicable to German personnel working physically at the Almería Solar Platform.
The specific elements regulated by the amendment are:
| Regulated aspect | Established condition |
|---|---|
| New validity date | Until May 23, 2030 |
| Cost per work position (DLR personnel) | €64,481.34 annually per position |
| Cost for short-stay students | 25% of the annual base (€64,481.34), prorated according to length of stay |
| Limit of DLR personnel at the PSA | The number of employees physically present cannot exceed the agreed positions without express authorization from the PSA Director |
| Entry into force of the amendment | After its registration in the State Electronic Registry of Cooperation Bodies and Instruments (May 22, 2026) |
The original agreement was signed in 2022 between both organizations to articulate the presence and research activity of the DLR at the Almería Solar Platform, which is managed by CIEMAT and is one of the world's leading centers for concentrated solar energy research.
Economic and operational impact
The amendment has a direct and quantifiable economic impact for the DLR. For each German researcher or technician working physically at the PSA, the DLR must pay CIEMAT €64,481.34 annually. This amount covers the use of facilities and services associated with the work position on the platform.
For short-stay students, the calculation is proportional:
- Reference base: €64,481.34 annually
- Applicable percentage: 25% of that base = €16,120.34 annual equivalent
- Final amount: prorated according to days or months of effective stay
From an operational perspective, the DLR cannot unilaterally expand the number of people present at the PSA. Any increase beyond the agreed positions requires express authorization from the Director of the Almería Solar Platform, which implies formal control over the capacity for expansion of the German team at the facilities.
Who does it affect?
- CIEMAT — As the managing organization of the Almería Solar Platform and receiving party to the agreement. Must ensure compliance with agreed conditions and manage access authorizations.
- DLR (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt eV) — As the German organization that sends personnel to the PSA. Must budget and pay the amounts established for each work position.
- DLR researchers and technicians assigned physically at the Almería Solar Platform, whose presence is subject to the limits of agreed positions.
- DLR students on short stays at the PSA, whose economic contribution is calculated at 25% of the annual base, prorated by duration.
- Director of the Almería Solar Platform, who acquires the authority to authorize any expansion of the number of DLR positions beyond those agreed.
Practical example
Suppose the DLR has 3 work positions agreed for researchers at the PSA during one full year, and also sends 2 students on short stays of 3 months each.
Cost for the 3 full-time researchers:
- 3 positions × €64,481.34 = €193,444.02 annually
Cost for the 2 students for 3 months (90 days out of 365):
- Student base: 25% of €64,481.34 = €16,120.34 annual equivalent
- Proration 3 months (90/365): €16,120.34 × (90/365) = approximately €3,974 per student
- 2 students: approximately €7,948
Total estimated DLR cost in that fiscal year: approximately €201,392
If the DLR wanted to add a fourth researcher without having agreed to it previously, it would need express authorization from the PSA Director before that person physically joins the facilities.
What should organizations do now?
- DLR — Review the budget allocated to the PSA: Verify that the amounts budgeted for personnel presence in Almería reflect the new rate of €64,481.34 annually per position, in force since May 22, 2026.
- DLR — Update student stay planning: Calculate the cost of each short stay by applying 25% of the annual base prorated by effective days, to avoid budget deviations.
- DLR — Verify the number of agreed positions: Confirm with CIEMAT how many positions are formally authorized. Any need to expand physical presence must be processed with the PSA Director before the additional personnel joins.
- CIEMAT — Update internal records: Ensure that the amendment is correctly registered in the State Electronic Registry of Cooperation Bodies and Instruments and that billing systems reflect the new amounts from the entry into force date.
- Both parties — Plan the 2030 horizon: With the extension valid until May 23, 2030, this is the time to plan medium-term joint research projects and anticipate whether a new renewal or modification will be necessary before that date.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the DLR pay for each researcher at the Almería Solar Platform?
The DLR pays CIEMAT €64,481.34 annually for each work position occupied by its personnel at the Almería Solar Platform (PSA). This amount is set in the amendment published on June 4, 2026 and is applicable from May 22, 2026.
How much do DLR students pay for short stays at the PSA?
DLR students on short-duration stays contribute 25% of the annual base (that is, 25% of €64,481.34, equivalent to approximately €16,120.34 annually), prorated according to effective days of stay. For example, a 3-month stay would amount to approximately €3,974.
Until when is the CIEMAT-DLR solar energy agreement valid?
Following the extension amendment, the cooperation agreement between CIEMAT and DLR in the field of solar energy will be valid until May 23, 2030. The original agreement began in 2022.
Can the DLR increase the number of employees at the PSA without permission?
No. The amendment expressly establishes that the number of DLR employees physically present at the Almería Solar Platform cannot exceed the agreed positions without prior authorization from the PSA Director. Any expansion requires formal processing.
When did the amendment to the CIEMAT-DLR agreement enter into force?
The amendment entered into force on May 22, 2026, the date of its registration in the State Electronic Registry of Cooperation Bodies and Instruments. It was published in the BOE on June 4, 2026 with reference BOE-A-2026-12023.
Official source
Consult complete regulation at official source
Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-12023