Enlit on the Road learns how the energy transition is progressing in Valencia

Key players in the Spanish energy sector, including global renewable energy giant Iberdrola, showcased the innovation and technologies driving forward the energy transition in Valencia at a special one-off event.

Organised by Enlit Europe and Iberdrola, the half-day conference delivered invaluable insights into projects that are making tangible progress in several fields, including smart grids, energy storage, EV infrastructure and green hydrogen.

The event featured a dynamic program covering a range of topics, with speakers including:

• Mario Ruiz Tagle, CEO of Iberdrola Spain, providing the opening remarks
• Juan Carlos Caballero, Councillor Delegate for Institutional Relations and Relations with Other Administrations, and Government Spokesperson at Valencia City Council, welcoming attendees on behalf of the city
• Paddy Young, Director of Enlit, introducing the Enlit on the Road – Valencia event
• Ana Lafuente, Global Networks Director at Iberdrola, discussing the importance of smart grids
• Eva Perez, Director of Innovation Promotion of Fundación Valenciaport and Technical Secretary of Alianza Net Zero Mar, highlighting the role of the port in decarbonisation
• María Burgos, Head of Energy Market Analysis and Foresight at Iberdrola, exploring new storage opportunities
• Enrique Bayonne Sopo, PhD, General Manager of the Energy Cluster of the Valencia Region, providing insights on the state and prospects of energy storage
• José Luis Adanero, Head of Planning, Regulation & Investment Office at Iberdrola Renovables Energía, presenting on wind repowering
• Antonio Marqués, Director of Technology and Innovation at Grupo Etra, discussing crosssectorial smartification of energy grids
• Paddy Young, Director of Enlit, presenting the findings of the Enlit-Think Tank Green Talent Report
• Gema Góngora, Global Director of Talent and Employee Experience at Iberdrola, sharing the company's initiatives to boost employability in the energy transition
• Eva Mancera, CEO of i-DE, and Ignacio García Bosch, Ilumina Program Manager at i-DE, highlighting Valencia's resilience and the Ilumina program after the DANA floods
• Agustín Delgado, Chief Innovation Officer at Iberdrola, providing the closing remarks

A host of high-level speakers emphasises how these projects have become essential for climate resilience following the devastating floods that hit Valencia last year.

Mario Ruiz-Tagle, CEO of Iberdrola Spain, highlighted during the opening of the event that the electrification of the economy is synonymous with competitiveness and investment opportunity. He stated that it provides energy autonomy, security, economic and industrial growth, and quality employment. He also emphasized the importance of having firm and resilient energy in order to face the turbulent climate and international landscape.

The day also spotlights the trends, challenges and opportunities facing the energy workforce, with Gema Góngora, Global Director of Talent and Employee Experience from Iberdrola, revealing the drivers behind the company's green talent initiatives, and Enlit presenting findings from its recently released white paper Making it Work: Tackling the Energy Transition Workforce Challenge.

"Coming to Valencia is paving the way to Bilbao. We are discussing the key themes that will take centre stage at Enlit Europe in Bilbao this autumn. It’s a great opportunity to explore these important topics" said Agustín Delgado, Chief innovation Officer, Iberdrola.

"Enlit on the road plays a crucial role in making the energy transition more inclusive and actionable,” said Enrique Bayonne Sopo, PhD, General Manager, Energy Cluster of the Valencia Region. “Through events like this one we’re not only addressing challenges but also showcasing real-world examples of how energy systems enhance this transition."

"This event provides a unique opportunity to learn more about how the energy transition is progressing in one of Spain's most dynamic and forward-thinking cities," said Paddy Young, Director at Enlit. "We're delighted to be partnering with Iberdrola to shine a spotlight on the innovative projects and initiatives that are helping to drive the shift towards a more sustainable energy future."