Iberdrola España identifies electrification, investment in electricity networks and operational excellence as key priorities for meeting the growth in electricity demand
- Iberdrola España's distribution arm is analysing the challenges facing the networks in Cáceres against a backdrop of increasing electrification and new capacity requirements
- The new investment cycle will strengthen the electricity infrastructure and support the economic and business development of Extremadura
i-DE, Iberdrola España's distribution arm, held the 24th edition of its annual meeting on the networks business in Extremadura in Cáceres, an event that brought together company professionals to analyse the main challenges facing the electricity system in the face of advancing electrification.
The meeting was attended by i-DE's director for the Western region, Óscar Villanueva, and the head of the Networks business in Extremadura, David Martín Arevalillo, who outlined the company's priorities for the coming years under the slogan "The present is electric ".
Electrification is progressively increasing the role of electricity in households, businesses, industry and transport; it is also emerging as a tool for harnessing available renewable resources, reducing dependence on external energy supplies and strengthening security of supply.
Against this backdrop, electricity networks are taking on strategic importance. Having sufficient capacity to meet new demand is an increasingly important factor in the development of industrial, logistics and business projects and, consequently, for the competitiveness and ability of regions to attract investment.
Electrification, investment and operational excellence
During the meeting, i-DE outlined its priorities around three main areas: electrification, investment and operational excellence. The first involves preparing for and anticipating the development of the electricity network to meet growing power needs and ensuring that capacity availability is not a constraint on new projects or on Extremadura's economic growth.
Added to this is a new investment cycle in distribution networks, facilitated by the new regulatory framework. The company plans to continue developing and modernising its infrastructure to provide greater capacity, flexibility and resilience to the electricity system.
This effort also forms part of i-DE's investment planning horizon for Extremadura for the period 2027 to 2029, which is geared towards strengthening and renewing the networks and continuing to advance their digitalisation.
The company also considers it a priority that this growth of the network be accompanied by continuous improvement in service. In a context where electricity is playing an increasingly prominent role, the aim is to move towards more streamlined, straightforward and transparent connection processes while maintaining high levels of quality, reliability and security of supply.
The third pillar is operational excellence, with particular emphasis on people's safety – which the company prioritises above all other objectives – and on preparing the networks to respond to adverse weather conditions.
In this regard the event also highlighted the response of i-DE's professionals to exceptional situations. These included the management of the fires that occurred last summer, both in terms of network operations and the support provided to facilitate the restoration of supply and assistance to affected customers.
Technology for a smarter electricity network
Digitalisation and artificial intelligence will also play an increasingly important role in this process. The advanced use of data and new technological tools will enable improved planning, reduced management times, optimised processes and an enhanced ability to anticipate the needs of networks and customers.
During the meeting, Villanueva and Martín Arevalillo emphasised that the advance of electrification represents an opportunity for Extremadura, which must be accompanied by the development of the necessary infrastructure to meet growing demand.
“The present is electric, and together we are building the network that makes it possible” was one of the key messages of an event focused on preparing the network to meet the evolving needs of customers, businesses and public authorities.
12,600 kilometres of power lines in Extremadura
Currently i-DE manages more than 10,600 kilometres of low- and medium-voltage power lines and more than 2,000 kilometres of high and very-high-voltage power lines in Extremadura, as well as 3,467 transformer stations and 65 substations. This infrastructure serves households and businesses throughout the region.