In Toledo, Gas Natural Fenosa Foundation examines employment and company creation opportunities in energy sector
At a seminar organised in partnership with the Regional Government of Castilla-La Mancha, a focus was placed on the opportunities to generate value and create jobs offered to companies by the energy sector.
Earlier today in Toledo, the Councillor for Economic Affairs and Employment of the Regional Government of Castilla-La Mancha, Patricia Franco, and the Managing Director of the Gas Natural Fenosa Foundation, Martí Solà, officially opened the seminar entitled ‘Energy as an Employment and Company Creation Opportunity’, which analysed the effects caused by the cost, availability and quality of energy on competitiveness in Spain.
At the event, which was attended by over 120 professionals, various experts identified the specific opportunities for job and company creation in five key areas: energy efficiency; electricity storage; mobility; renewable generation; and energy management in cities.
The Chair of Energy Resources from the Universidad of Barcelona, Mariano Marzo, analysed the competitiveness of Spanish and European industry in the current crisis and transformation process, and offered ideas on how to make energy policy a tool for strengthening industrial competitiveness. Mariano Marzo also explained that, from a global economic competitiveness perspective, European industry faces a worrying situation in which its labour costs are more than twice those in Asia while energy costs exceed those in the US by almost 60%.
The Energy Solutions Creation Manager at GAS NATURAL FENOSA, María Pérez, explained that Spanish companies have the potential to save 3 billion euros per year in energy efficiency. This potential does not only automatically translate into increased productivity for these companies but also into job creation for others (auditors, energy managers, energy service companies, equipment suppliers, installers, etc.).
The Managing Director of Albufera Energy Storage, Joaquín Chacón, discussed the current situation in the global market for batteries as energy storage systems and its foreseeable development in the near future, where the most conservative studies speak of at least 12% annual growth per year. Joaquín Chacón stressed that job creation, environmental conservation and cost reduction in this sector are attractive factors for business.
The Business Manager from Altran, Albert Botella, presented the technological and cultural changes that have taken place in recent years and those foreseen for the next decade in the field of transport, highlighting hybrid, electric and natural gas vehicles. He also offered information not only about the strictly technology-related opportunities but also those related to the new social structure being generated by new sustainable transportation.
The Head of the Energy Department at CIEMAT, Ramón Gavela, analysed the technological development experienced by the renewable energies sector in recent years, as well as the best ways to use each energy technology in the European Union and Spain with a view to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Ramón Gavela highlighted the need for investment, research and development in renewable energy generation.
Finally, the representative from the Institute of Technological Research of the School of Engineering (ICAI) of the Pontificia Comillas University, Pablo Frías, explained the various business models that could arise in the development of electricity infrastructures and the activities for managing demand and the integration of renewable generation.
The event was closed by the Director-General for Industry, Energy and Mining of the Regional Government of Castilla-La Mancha, José Luis Cabezas, and the Managing Director of the Gas Natural Fenosa Foundation, Martí Solà.
Gas Natural Fenosa Foundation
The Gas Natural Fenosa Foundation, founded in 1992, works to promote information and training and raise social awareness of improvements in energy efficiency and technological innovation in the field of energy while respecting and protecting the environment. It promotes cultural activities through its Gas Museum that are aimed at preserving and publicising the sector's historical and cultural heritage. It also has a programme to support exports for small and medium-sized enterprises. Its international activities are carried out in Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Morocco, Italy, Moldova and South Africa.
Toledo, 07 April 2016
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