Cuerva brings together a European call in Granada to accelerate the development of the electricity grids of the future

Representatives from more than seven countries, the European Commission and industry leaders agree that electrification will only be possible with new investment, digitalisation and flexible regulatory frameworks.

The event, organised by GEODE and hosted by Cuerva, reinforces Granada’s role in the European energy debate.

Granada. 17/04/2026. The European energy transition will depend largely on the ability to modernise electricity grids. This was one of the key messages of the GEODE Spring Seminar 2026, which placed Granada at the epicentre of the European energy debate. Hosted by the Granada-based energy company Cuerva at its new headquarters, over a hundred institutional representatives, regulators and energy companies discussed how to prepare the electricity system for an increasingly electrified, decentralised and digitalised future.

The event, organised by GEODE, a European association representing more than 1,200 local electricity and gas distributors, positioned Granada as a focal point for the continental energy debate at a decisive moment for Europe, marked by the need to strengthen its strategic autonomy, accelerate decarbonisation and ensure infrastructure capable of meeting new energy demand.

As the host company and a member of GEODE, Cuerva has strengthened its key role in the transformation of the energy system and in the development of networks equipped to meet the challenges of the 21st century. Ignacio Cuerva, the company’s CEO, said: “The fact that Granada is hosting this European meeting and that Cuerva is leading its organisation is a source of pride for our company and our city.” “Electricity grids will play a central role in the new energy model,” he added.

Ignacio Cuerva, CEO, during his welcome speech. Photos courtesy of Cuerva.

The opening ceremony was attended by Jorge Paradela, the Regional Minister for Industry, Energy and Mines of the Regional Government of Andalusia, Marifrán Carazo, the Mayor of Granada, and European representatives from the sector.
Paradela emphasised that “Europe cannot build the networks of the future based on the energy landscape of the past”. He also highlighted the importance of Granada hosting a strategic meeting on the energy transition, as a hub for knowledge and technology. 

Jorge Paradela, during his speech. Photos courtesy of Cuerva.

The official opening was led by the Mayor of Granada, Marifrán Carazo Villalonga, who welcomed the attendees and highlighted Granada’s ability to attract international events linked to strategic sectors, as well as its growing reputation as a city open to innovation and talent, describing Granada as “an exceptional city in which to do business”.

Marifrán Carazo, during her speech. Photos courtesy of Cuerva.

Following her, Gerardo Cuerva, president of the Granada Confederation of Entrepreneurs, highlighted Granada’s potential as a business and international hub, beyond its reputation as a tourist destination. Furthermore, in his capacity as president of CIDE, he called for greater investment in the electricity grid, fair remuneration and an ongoing commitment to digitalisation.

Gerardo Cuerva, during his speech. Photos courtesy of Cuerva.

A European forum to redefine the role of networks

Entitled “Building the grid of tomorrow: how digitalisation and flexibility are shaping remuneration for distributors”, the seminar served as a forum for shared reflection on the role that electricity grids must play in the new European energy system.

Throughout the day, European experts agreed that the electrification of industry, transport and homes will require an unprecedented surge in investment in electricity distribution. In this context, it was noted that Europe will need to mobilise hundreds of billions of euros for networks over the coming decades to support the energy transition.

During the round-table discussions, the various experts addressed strategic issues such as the need to boost investment in distribution infrastructure — with forecasts pointing to over €700 billion by 2040 —, the development of regulatory frameworks that promote digitalisation, and the incorporation of technologies such as artificial intelligence into the operation and planning of energy systems.
Likewise, the focus was on the importance of moving towards a truly interconnected electricity grid at European level, overcoming current limitations and enabling more efficient integration of renewable energy.

Further details on the round-table discussions can be found in the Annex.

The European vision: energy security and strategic autonomy

One of the highlights of the day came from the European Commission, represented by Cristina Lobillo, Director of Energy Security and International Relations at DG ENER.

In her speech, Lobillo placed the debate within the current geopolitical context, marked by the war in Ukraine and instability in the Middle East. Although she assured that there is no immediate risk to the electricity supply, she warned of Europe’s high dependence on fossil fuels, which still account for nearly two-thirds of the energy mix.
“In the medium and long term, the answer is to accelerate the energy transition. It is not just a question of sustainability, but of autonomy and competitiveness.”
She also highlighted structural vulnerabilities, such as Europe’s dependence on the processing of critical minerals — with a heavy concentration in China — and announced that Brussels is working on new regulatory measures to be published shortly to strengthen the development of the European energy system.

Cristina Lobillo during her online presentation. Photos courtesy of Cuerva.

Cuerva, host of a crucial match for Europe

As the host company and a member of GEODE, Cuerva has played a central role in organising this forum. During the opening ceremony, Ignacio Cuerva highlighted the value of the event at both sectoral and regional levels:
“Companies from more than ten European Union countries are taking part in this seminar, representing millions of consumers. It is a source of great satisfaction that Cuerva is leading and hosting this event.”

Cuerva also highlighted the period of structural change the sector is undergoing, noting that we are facing a paradigm shift: we are moving from a model based on fossil fuels to one underpinned by clean and renewable energy. “In this context, electricity grids take on a central role throughout the process,” he added.

Geode, driving the role of distribution in Europe

The Spring Seminar forms part of the annual programme of GEODE, the European association representing local electricity and gas distributors, which is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year.

Over the past three decades, GEODE has been a key voice in Europe in highlighting the role of distribution networks in the energy transition. At a time like the present, such meetings not only enable the sharing of knowledge but also help align the visions of companies, regulators and institutions on the direction in which the energy system should evolve.

During the closing session, its president, Hans Kreisel, put forward a clear idea: the scale of the challenge demands that we move faster and in a coordinated manner. “The energy transition depends on investments amounting to €67 billion annually, and it is essential that regulators evolve at the same pace as industry and society.”

In his speech, Kreisel also highlighted a fundamental issue that runs through the entire European debate: the gap that still exists between regulatory frameworks and the reality of the sector. Whilst networks are taking on ever-increasing responsibilities—from ensuring supply to supporting electrification and driving digitalisation—current models do not always reflect this complexity.

In this regard, he emphasised that the future of the networks does not lie in choosing between technology or investment, but in understanding that both must go hand in hand, alongside an element that is often taken for granted but is key:

“It is not just about technology. We also need trust: between operators, with regulators and with the consumers themselves who will participate in these new models.”

Hans Kreisel at the closing ceremony. Photos courtesy of Cuerva.

Another key takeaway from the closing session was the real potential of digitalisation as a driver of efficiency. As he explained, opting for digital solutions over traditional models can lead to savings of between 25% and 35% on network investments, as well as improving the system’s responsiveness.

The discussion also looked to the short and medium term, particularly regarding the role of technologies such as artificial intelligence, whose increasingly rapid advancement is beginning to transform the way in which networks are planned and operated. A development which, according to Kreisel, the sector must tackle decisively, but also safely and in a coordinated manner.

The final message was clear and echoed by many of the participants throughout the day: the electricity grids of the future must be smarter, more digital and flexible, but must also remain a reliable infrastructure, capable of maintaining the security and quality of supply in an increasingly complex system.

A space for dialogue, innovation and collaboration in Granada

The event combined technical sessions with opportunities for professionals to exchange ideas, reinforcing the need to move towards greater coordination between institutions, regulators and businesses.

For Cuerva, hosting this seminar in Granada represents a further step in his commitment to the development of the sector and the region:
“Hosting this event in our city is an opportunity to contribute to the European debate from a regional perspective and to reinforce the role of networks in the energy future,” added Ignacio Cuerva during his speech.

The GEODE Spring Seminar naturally consolidates Granada’s position as a venue for international meetings linked to the major challenges of the future.

Appendix: Round-table Discussions

Roundtable I – Financing and Digitalisation of the Smart Grid

One of the main focuses of the debate has been the need to adapt regulatory frameworks to facilitate investment in networks. In this regard, it was highlighted that investment in electricity distribution in Europe is already growing significantly—from €20 billion in 2021 to over €35 billion in 2024—and that this pace will need to be further accelerated in the coming years.

The experts agreed that digitalisation is no longer an option, but an essential prerequisite for the system’s operation. The ability to manage data, improve grid visibility and facilitate interaction with consumers has become a structural element in the development of more efficient and future-proof networks.

Round Table II – Flexibility for a more efficient and dynamic network

Another key focus of the conference was the role of flexibility as a key tool for optimising grid usage. In a system increasingly geared towards consumption and the integration of distributed resources, flexibility enables congestion to be managed, facilitates new connections and improves operational efficiency without relying solely on physical infrastructure upgrades.

Participants noted that its large-scale development still presents significant challenges, both regulatory and technical and organisational. Currently, only a very limited number of European operators are developing local flexibility markets, despite the high potential that exists, particularly in areas such as domestic consumption, electric mobility and industry.
In this context, the need to move towards more coordinated models, with clear rules, greater standardisation and the involvement of all stakeholders — operators, regulators, businesses and consumers — was highlighted in order to unlock its full potential.

Round Table III – Artificial Intelligence, Security and System Resilience

The application of advanced technologies also featured prominently in the seminar, particularly in areas such as planning, grid operation and cybersecurity. The experts agreed that the growing complexity of the energy system calls for new tools capable of anticipating behaviour, optimising resources and improving decision-making.

At the same time, it was emphasised that the concept of security has evolved, incorporating new dimensions such as resilience to extreme weather events and protection against cyberattacks, which in recent years have had an increasing impact on energy infrastructure.
In this context, digitalisation, artificial intelligence and security are no longer merely complementary elements but have become essential pillars upon which to build the networks of the future.