Voices of Hydro introduces the people behind the power. In this series, industry leaders share how they’re driving the sector forward by tackling challenges, championing innovations and sharing moments that made them proud. These are the people who keep our lights on and our energy future, secure.

Please introduce yourself and tell us about your role.

I am Director of Hydroelectric Generation at Iberdrola, with more than 25 years of experience across the entire hydropower value chain, from project development and regulation to construction and long-term operation.

Today I lead a multidisciplinary team of more than 700 professionals responsible for managing over 11 GW of installed hydropower capacity across more than 160 power plants, including around 5 GW of pumped storage hydropower. Our work combines operational excellence with the development of new storage solutions that strengthen grid stability, security of supply and system resilience in increasingly renewable-based power systems.

What challenge in the hydropower sector is your organisation working to address?

One of the greatest challenges facing power systems today is maintaining stability and security of supply while integrating ever-growing shares of variable renewable energy.

At Iberdrola, we are working to ensure that the energy transition remains both secure and affordable. We believe that long-duration storage, particularly pumped storage hydropower, is essential to provide the flexibility, inertia, voltage support and resilience needed in modern electricity systems while enabling deeper renewable integration.

What key technology or innovation is your organisation focused on?

Our main focus is the development of next-generation pumped storage hydropower projects, particularly brownfield and what we call “bluefield” developments with minimum environmental impact, which make use of existing reservoirs and infrastructure.

These projects, that can be integrated into an established hydropower systems. combine proven technology with innovative design to deliver large-scale, long-duration storage capable of supporting renewable integration over multiple days while providing critical grid stability services.

Is there a recent milestone or achievement from your organisation that you would like to highlight?

Apart from the advancement of our pumped storage hydro portfolio, I would highlight the successful management of last flood events across the river basins where Iberdrola operates in Spain and Portugal. Changing climate patterns are making hydrological events increasingly challenging, with extreme inflows affecting multiple basins simultaneously. Despite this growing complexity, our teams have successfully managed these events through the safe and reliable operation of our hydropower assets, helping to reduce downstream impacts while contributing to the protection of local communities and people.

What are you most proud of at the moment?

I am particularly proud of the role that our teams are playing in demonstrating that hydropower, and especially pumped storage hydropower, remains central to the future of clean energy systems.

The hydropower sector has a unique opportunity to help solve some of the most pressing challenges of the energy transition: integrating renewables at scale, strengthening energy security and maintaining reliable electricity systems. Seeing our teams contribute to that mission every day is a source of great pride.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

My main message is that the next phase of the energy transition is no longer primarily about setting ambitious targets. It is about delivery.

To achieve this, policymakers and industry must work together to enable technically robust, environmentally responsible and cost-effective storage projects. Long-duration storage is not an optional complement to renewable energy; it is essential infrastructure for a secure, resilient and affordable energy future.

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