This paper aims to analyze the public funds transferred to energy projects granted by the Department of Research in the frame of the Spanish Scientific Research, Development and Technological Innovation (R&D&I) Plan 2004-2007. The subjects of the projects granted for R&D activities in incipient technologies and the thematic priorities in energy research covered by the annual calls for proposals are analyzed. In addition, the amount of funds transferred to R&D in energy compared to the rest of research activities promoted by the Spanish Government, the territorial distribution of the research centres granted, the distribution of funds in relation to the technologies granted and the Spanish research centres more active in the diverse energy research areas are presented. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.