I-DE, Iberdrola España’s distribution company, highlights the modernisation of electricity networks as a strategic pillar for electrifying the economy at a conference held in Albacete

Iberdrola España’s distribution company brought together more than one hundred professionals in Albacete for its biannual Networks business meeting
The strong performance and coordination of i-DE teams in responding to potential incidents caused by the recent series of storms affecting the region was highlighted

Smart grids

A technician works at the top of an electricity pole while another colleague watches from the ground next to an i-DE Grupo Iberdrola service van. The vehicle is parked in a rural area with rocks and vegetation, under a cloudy sky. The scene shows maintenance work on the power grid.

Transport and distribution networks need to be expanded and modernised, according to i-DE

Albacete hosted the 23rd edition of the biannual smart grid business meeting of i-DE Redes Eléctricas Inteligentes, bringing together more than one hundred employees to discuss future challenges under the theme “The Present is Electric.”

The meeting was chaired by María Martínez, i-DE’s Central Region Director, and Pablo Caramés, Head of Network Operations in Castilla-La Mancha. During the session, participants analysed the current energy landscape, characterised by sustained growth in global electricity demand. In Spain, this trend is reflected in the rising number of grid connection requests, a development that is also evident in Castilla-La Mancha.

According to i-DE, the expansion of data centres, the electrification of industrial processes and the continued growth of electric mobility are significantly increasing electricity demand, making it necessary to expand and modernise both transmission and distribution networks.

Electrifying the economy entails redesigning systems originally conceived decades ago so they can meet the needs of today’s cities and industrial hubs, which demand greater operational flexibility, enhanced capacity and stronger resilience standards.

The importance of sector-wide collaboration in accelerating electrification was also underlined. Over the past year, i-DE has participated in more than 45 events nationwide and organised more than 30 technical conferences for electrical installers, several of them in Castilla-La Mancha. These initiatives demonstrate that cooperation across the energy ecosystem is essential to advancing the energy transition and facilitating the deployment of new solutions. Through joint work with suppliers, installers and customers within a framework of mutual trust, i-DE has helped strengthen and consolidate an ecosystem better prepared to address the challenges of electrification.

According to i-DE representatives in the region, “digitalisation and the deployment of artificial intelligence-based tools will help enhance service quality and strengthen our ability to anticipate and manage incidents.”

Coordinated response to recent storms

Martínez and Caramés also highlighted the dedication of i-DE employees and the strong coordination shown in responding to the series of storms that recently affected Castilla-La Mancha and other parts Spain, which were managed with great efficiency.

During the event, the il·lumina project was presented as a benchmark example of the organisation’s capacity to respond effectively to extreme events. Following a major weather-related incident, the project demonstrated that rapid, orderly and resilient reconstruction is achievable through strong team coordination, forward planning and the implementation of best practices. The initiative has since become an internal reference model, reinforcing the importance of preparedness, agile emergency management and forward-looking resilience criteria to strengthen the network and ensure improved service for citizens.

26,000 km of power lines in Castilla-La Mancha

In Castilla-La Mancha, i-DE manages more than 26,000 kilometres of low- and medium-voltage lines and approximately 2,600 kilometres of high- and very high-voltage lines. The company also operates 9,600 transformer substations and 76 distribution substations, serving both residential and business customers.

Thanks to this infrastructure, i-DE operates a modern, digitalised electricity network in the region, prepared to meet the growing demands and challenges associated with the electrification of the economy in Castilla-La Mancha.

The company concluded by reiterating that electrification represents an effective pathway toward a more sustainable future. Positioning electricity as the primary energy source supports greater efficiency, cost optimisation and improved quality of life.

I-DE, Iberdrola España’s distribution company, highlights the modernisation of electricity networks as a strategic pillar for electrifying the economy at a conference held in Albacete

I-DE, Iberdrola España’s distribution company, positions the development of electricity networks in Castilla y León as a strategic priority in response to the electrification of the economy

I-DE, Iberdrola España’s distribution company, highlights the modernisation of electricity networks as a strategic pillar for electrifying the economy at a conference held in Albacete

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