"If we want to achieve decarbonization, we have to start now. We have the opportunity to focus on an industry in which we are world leaders," said Jorge González, CEO of Ormazabal

The CEO of Ormazabal reviewed the main challenges and opportunities of decarbonization and electrification of society during his participation in the VIII Industrial Forum of the Basque Country

The enormous challenge of achieving a more competitive and sustainable economy with digital and energy transformation as levers was the topic of debate at the VIII Industrial Forum of the Basque Country, organized by the newspaper El Economista together with the University of Deusto, which took place at the CRAI of said university in Bilbao. The event brought together some of the main agents in energy transition and electrification such as Ormazabal, Arteche, or Ingeteam along with some of the leading companies in the industrial sector in the territory such as Kutxabank and the Port of Bilbao.

In this context, Jorge González, CEO of Ormazabal, reviewed the main challenges and opportunities in a round table in which Eduardo Ruiz de Gordejuela, CEO of Kutxabank; Adolfo Rebollo, CEO of Ingeteam; and Alexander Arteche, President and CEO of Arteche also participated.

“If we want to achieve decarbonization, something that is not debatable, we have to start now. We have the opportunity, and there are not many, to focus on an industry in which we are world leaders,” affirmed the CEO of Ormazabal. Jorge González reaffirmed the significant value that the electrical goods industry represents in Euskadi. “If we focus within an 80-kilometer radius, 85% of Spain’s electrotechnical industry is within it, concentrating 85% of the technological jobs associated with that industry. The society we are in is the main interested party in undertaking this transition,” he recalled.

To achieve this transition, “which represents a huge opportunity for the reindustrialization of the country,” Jorge González emphasized the fundamental role that regulatory speed and flexibility play in the process, “allowing the arrival of investments that must come to the electrical grids.” In this sense, González called for action to take advantage of a “huge opportunity for the generation of local value through an industry with close value chains, high-quality jobs, and top-level STEM profiles.” In this urgent message, he stressed that “what we cannot do is not see the opportunity, let it pass, and in 20 years ask ourselves why we did not accept the challenge of what we knew we had to do.”

Emphatically, Jorge González concluded his intervention by affirming that this transition is possible. “The technology is available, grid operators and manufacturers are willing to invest. If we want, we can do it. We have wind, sun, surface area, capacity, human resources, and trained people. In addition to exceptional infrastructures that represent a huge opportunity for reindustrialization. Something that will result in jobs, wealth generation, and taxes. It is in our hands to take advantage of an opportunity like we have not had in the last 60 years.”