Mytilineos: Decision-making will define utilities of the future

Utilities are at the centre of the energy transition, and the ability to make bold, agile decisions will be a key factor in determining their success in the future, according to Kostas Horinos from Mytilineos Energy & Metals.

Enlit on the Road visited the Mytilineos headquarters in Athens, where Horinos - who is the Executive Director of M Power Projects at the global industrial and energy company - highlighted the importance of utilities "making faster decisions and adopting new technologies" when navigating the energy transition and executing projects.

This agility, he noted, is crucial in meeting surging energy demands and integrating cutting-edge technologies seamlessly into the grid.

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Horinos also emphasised the critical role grids play in the seamless distribution of power generated by diverse sources, be it wind, solar, or gas. The integration of new technologies in grid management is fundamental for efficient energy transition, particularly in interconnecting regions with different energy mixes.

An integrated approach to the energy transition

Horinos believes that Mytilineos sets itself apart by taking an integrated approach to its strategy via a diversified portfolio. The company's journey began with the development of power plants, expanding to become a utility that distributes electricity in Greece. Today, Mytilineos has over 13GW of renewable energy in its portfolio and projects around the world.

"We cover the whole energy supply chain…and that means that we not only cover the development but also the construction, operation [of power plants] and distribution of power, while at the same time we are also in the gas business," he explains.

"That means that we have covered the fuel as part of the energy that we produce today. But we are looking at the future. The future means that we are decarbonising with very ambitious targets to reduce
our CO2 footprint as much as possible in the years to come."

Outdated grids are a global issue, and Mytilineos is actively involved in projects focused on implementing new technologies like high-voltage direct current (HVDC) systems, grid replacement, and the construction of new substations. This involvement allows them to not only generate power but also efficiently transmit it to end-users.

Regarding the most influential technologies in the energy transition, Horinos identified energy storage, hydrogen, and carbon capture as the cornerstones of future energy landscapes.

Mytilineos draws on its experience from the metals industry to invest in technologies that facilitate energy savings, as they explore opportunities in hydrogen development, a sector with significant potential for future growth.

In this evolving landscape, every project is an opportunity for growth and innovation. Watch the full interview to find out what Horinos regards to be the ingredients for a successful project.