Business leaders call for collaboration between public and private entities to improve energy efficiency.

Seville, Tuesday, April 9. Business leaders, energy experts, and government officials gathered at the conference “The Energy Future in the Industry of Southern Spain“, an event organized by CESUR, the Association of Entrepreneurs of Southern Spain and Edison Next, an energy services company and subsidiary of the EDISON energy group and the French giant EDF. The event highlighted the key aspects of decarbonization in the business fabric of Andalusia, Extremadura, Ceuta, and Melilla. The event was inaugurated by Fernando Seco, executive vice president of CESUR, who stated that “decarbonization can be a great growth opportunity for companies in the south,” and called for collaboration between public and private entities to improve energy efficiency and promote the circular economy. In this context, Íñigo Bertrand, CEO of Edison Next, gave the lecture “Monetization of Energy Savings: Increasing Competitiveness in Industry” where he highlighted the importance for companies of having an energy partner to accompany them in their decarbonization process, and emphasized Edison Next’s value proposition, focused on offering comprehensive and customized solutions for the decarbonization of its clients. “Our comprehensive approach ranges from identifying opportunities for improving energy efficiency and managing energy savings certificates, to developing renewable energy initiatives and circular economy projects, always ensuring coordinated and effective execution in all the initiatives in which we participate,” Bertrand stated. The executive reiterated the importance and effectiveness of the Energy Savings Certificates (CAEs) system in achieving the sustainability and climate change goals set by Spain for the year 2030.  “The Energy Savings Certificates (CAE) system has become a tool that truly adds value and promotes energy efficiency in Spain, just as it has already done in countries like France or Italy. Thanks to this, we are significantly increasing the number of companies that consider implementing energy efficiency and sustainability projects,” assured the CEO of Edison Next. Next, a panel discussion moderated by Manuel Larrasa, Secretary General of Energy of the Junta de Andalucía, analyzed decarbonization as an opportunity and tool to improve and boost the competitiveness of companies. Participants included David Aguilera, Corporate Director of Energy Efficiency at CL Grupo Industrial and General Manager of Gas Extremadura; Íñigo Bertrand, CEO of Edison Next; José María Piñar, CEO of Elmya; and Javier Targhetta, CEO of Atlantic Copper.

In this forum, David Aguilera, Corporate Director of Energy Efficiency at CL Grupo Industrial and General Manager of Gas Extremadura, stated that as a Group, “we have a very ambitious goal: to reduce our consumption per unit produced by 10% and ensure that 10% of our electricity comes from photovoltaic installations, prioritizing self-consumption.” He added that “after the very critical situation experienced with the war in Ukraine, we are clear that our area of influence regarding decarbonization and industrial competitiveness is energy efficiency to reduce energy consumption in our plants; the cheapest and cleanest energy is the one that is not used.” For his part, José María Piñar, CEO of Elmya, stated that “the current situation of the Iberian energy market is unsustainable, and if the regulator does not intervene, the PNIEC objectives will not be met.” Furthermore, the Seville-based businessman clarified that “on the one hand, the marginalist market has ceased to be efficient, and if it remains in force, we will see increasingly sharp spikes and negative prices, and on the other hand, energy storage must be regulated as soon as possible.” Regarding the world of renewable gas, Piñar assured that “in the short term, green hydrogen will become a reality in industrial decarbonization, especially in those industries that already consume gray hydrogen. In the medium term, it will be a reality in heavy transport and even as an alternative to the current natural gas network.” Meanwhile, Javier Targhetta, CEO of Atlantic Copper, clarified that “Andalusian industry is fully committed to continuing to work hand in hand, both with the Junta de Andalucía and with the Government of Spain, to achieve a high degree of energy competitiveness, which is, in turn, an indispensable component for our overall competitiveness. Fortunately, both administrations are showing a high awareness of the need to reconcile the fight against climate change with industrial development. We are facing a great opportunity to successfully address these two great challenges and thus ensure our leadership in global industry.” The meeting was closed by Ana M.ª Vielba, Vice Minister of Industry, Energy and Mines of the Junta de Andalucía, who highlighted the high competitiveness of the Andalusian region in energy matters, “both due to its strategic location and high availability of transport, land, and talent.” The Vice Minister assured that energy management “is the lever that will reindustrialize our region by attracting companies from outside.” She also highlighted the regional government’s commitment to quality training and administrative simplification. Likewise, she announced that “the Junta has reinforced its delegation in Brussels to closely monitor regulatory changes in the areas of industry, energy, and mines.”