i-DE, Iberdrola España’s distribution company, highlights at a conference held in Cáceres the modernization of electricity grids as a strategic pillar for electrifying the economy

Iberdrola España's distribution company brings together more than a hundred professionals from across the region in Extremadura for its annual network business meeting
The great work and coordination of i-DE staff in responding to possible incidents caused by the series of storms that have affected the autonomous community

Smart grids

23rd edition of the annual meeting of the i-DE smart grids business in Cáceres

Cáceres hosted the 23rd edition of the annual meeting of the Networks business of i-DE Smart Grids, Iberdrola España's distribution company, which brought together more than a hundred employees from the region to address future challenges under the slogan "El presente es eléctrico".

During the meeting, which was chaired by the director of i-DE in the Western region, Óscar Villanueva, and the head of the Network business in Extremadura, David Martín Arevalillo, the current energy scenario was discussed, marked by sustained growth in electricity demand on a global scale.

The development of data centres, the electrification of industrial processes and the advance of electric mobility are significantly increasing supply needs, making it necessary to expand and modernise transmission and distribution networks, according to i-DE.

The electrification of the economy involves redesigning systems conceived decades ago to adapt them to cities and industrial hubs that require greater flexibility, capacity and resilience, said Óscar Villanueva.

Speakers also highlighted that the energy transition offers numerous benefits as a country and as a region, as we have abundant natural resources such as sun, wind and water, which are essential for generating clean and competitive energy. It is crucial that we take advantage of these resources through the use of renewable and storage technologies.

For his part David Martín, Iberdrola España's representative in Extremadura, stressed that digitalisation and the application of artificial intelligence-based tools will help to improve service quality and strengthen the ability to anticipate incidents.

Coordination in the face of storms

Both Villanueva and Martín Arevalillo also highlighted the great work done by i-DE employees and the excellent coordination that has been in place to deal with the series of storms that have affected the region and different parts of the country, which i-DE has handled with great diligence.

In this regard it was noted that in recent weeks i-DE has carried out important preventive action, such as flying over more than 1,000 kilometres of power lines in the region by helicopter to detect possible anomalies with the aim of anticipating risks and guaranteeing supply under optimal conditions.

12,600 kilometres of power lines in Extremadura

i-DE currently manages more than 10,600 kilometres of low and medium voltage lines and more than 2,000 kilometres of high and very high voltage lines in Extremadura, as well as 3,467 transformer stations and 65 substations. This infrastructure serves individuals and businesses throughout the autonomous community.

The meeting also coincides with the 125th anniversary of the Iberdrola Group, of which Iberdrola España is a part, an event that the company is commemorating with various institutional and sectoral activities. In Extremadura there are plans to illuminate the Roman Theatre in Mérida.

i-DE, Iberdrola España’s distribution company, highlights at a conference held in Cáceres the modernization of electricity grids as a strategic pillar for electrifying the economy

i-DE, Iberdrola España’s distribution company, highlights at a conference held in Cáceres the modernization of electricity grids as a strategic pillar for electrifying the economy

I-DE, the distribution company of Iberdrola España, steps up aerial monitoring of power lines in Extremadura following recent storms

Iberdrola España trains the Guardia Civil in Castellón to respond to risk situations involving electrical installations

i-DE, Iberdrola España's distribution company, opens its facilities to students from the IES Vasco de la Zarza secondary school in Ávila