Pupils from Zamora switch on Iberdrola España’s ‘City of the Future’

Iberdrola España, the Rei Afonso Henriques Foundation and the Regional Government of Castile and León launch the new educational programme “The Energy Challenge of the Future”, aimed at 10 schools in the province and more than 300 pupils in Zamora.
An interactive workshop shows young people how renewable energies —solar, wind and hydro— can power a 100% clean and self-sufficient city.

Renewable energy

A group of 12 students posing in front of a green banner with the text "Cambiemos el Futuro" (Change the Future). They are standing and sitting, 7 boys and 5 girls, dressed in casual clothing. On the left, there is a poster with icons of renewable energy, and on the right, there is a sign with the text "The European Green Deal."

The initiative is aimed at more than 300 students in the province of Zamora.

Iberdrola España, the Rei Afonso Henriques Foundation (FRAH) and the Regional Government of Castile and León have launched “The Energy Challenge of the Future”, an educational initiative aimed at more than 300 students across the province. The programme seeks to explain, in a practical and engaging way, the role of renewable energies, particularly hydropower, in ensuring security of supply and building a sustainable energy model.

The programme begins with the participation of the San Vicente de Paúl School in Benavente and will reach 10 schools in Zamora –five in the capital and five across the province– where pupils will discover how renewable technologies can power a city that is 100% emission-free.

A model to understand today’s energy—and tomorrow’s needs

The workshop is built around an interactive model that enables pupils to understand, in a clear and visual way, how the current energy system works and the role each technology plays. Students explore the contribution of hydroelectric power, which is crucial in critical situations such as restoring electricity supply during a “zero energy” blackout.

Thanks to this educational tool, students learn how energy is produced, managed and stored in a renewable-based system, and why Spain’s energy mix is essential for strengthening energy self-sufficiency, regional resilience and long-term sustainable development.

A team challenge to light up the City of the Future

The activity continues with a collaborative challenge: lighting up an entire city through tests, puzzles and riddles. Students take on the role of energy-generating plants—solar, wind and hydro—that must coordinate to achieve a fully renewable city. This dynamic fosters critical thinking, teamwork, and an understanding of the role of storage, digitalisation and smart grid management.

Inspiring careers and opening doors to green jobs

“This new educational initiative aims to inspire students by conveying a positive and motivating message that encourages interest in engineering careers, with a particular focus on girls and young women, so they can see themselves as future professionals in the energy and technology sectors,” said José Luis González Prada, Director of the Rei Afonso Henriques Foundation.

Miguel Calvo, Iberdrola España’s representative in Castile and León, added: “We are already in the future: Iberdrola España has transformed the energy system, and now the city can only be powered by clean sources. To achieve this, we need engineers capable of activating all renewable energy facilities. Each group of students will become a power plant and, if they overcome all the challenges, the City of the Future will be lit entirely by renewables.”

Fernando Prada, regional representative of the Regional Government, highlighted that “raising awareness and promoting environmental education among young people through initiatives like this is essential so that students, and the next generation of professionals, can face the future with both preparation and social commitment.”

A shared commitment to Zamora, its young people and its sustainable future

This workshop forms part of the educational and recreational tools developed within the framework of the “Change is in your hands” project, promoted by the organisations since 2022 to advance towards a greener energy model and encourage responsible consumption habits that contribute to decarbonisation.

“The Energy Challenge of the Future” builds on the work that Iberdrola, the Regional Government of Castile and León and FRAH have been carrying out for years to inspire careers in green professions, promote environmental education and introduce young people to the opportunities offered by the energy transition.

Through initiatives such as this, the three institutions are reinforcing their commitment to training, educational innovation and talent development in Castile and León—key to successfully addressing the challenges of the energy of the future and building a sustainable economic model for generations to come.

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