Writer: Ernesto Oliver San José
After more than six years in various roles that allowed him to gain in-depth knowledge of the company, Ernesto Oliver San José now leads Inver Renewable Management, a testament to his dedication and skills. As an engineer, Ernesto has a clear, optimistic vision for the future of renewable energy. He has found personal fulfillment in his family’s business, describing it as “a project to believe in and grow with.” In this interview, he shares his insights into the future of renewables and gives us a closer look at the management and operations behind his projects.
About the Company and Its Strategy
We stand out for our comprehensive, customized approach to each project, committed to price, timeline, and quality. Our focus extends beyond energy production to its integration within communities, adapting to the unique requirements of each country. From the initial development stages through to maintenance, we always seek the best for each project with a long-term vision. This approach is driven by the company's ownership vision, which motivates us to find the best solutions for each situation. Furthermore, our human team is a key differentiator, with highly qualified personnel whose talent and dedication enable each advance and success of the company.
“Our human team is a great differentiator: we have highly skilled staff whose talent and dedication make every advance and achievement possible,” says Ernesto.
What Are the Company’s Main Challenges?
The renewable energy sector is constantly evolving, requiring us to adapt our operations to these changes, as well as to the competition for resources and talent. The exponential growth we’re experiencing is a challenge in itself. We are preparing to take on large-scale international projects, with a new focus and continuous training to deliver optimal, customized solutions for each one. Global competition requires us to stay at the forefront of technology and processes, and we are ready to meet this demand.
What is the Future of Renewables in the Next 5-10 Years？
The future of renewables varies by region. In Europe, we’re in a consolidation phase after a period of substantial renewable integration. Now is the time to be more cautious and focus on advanced technologies like biogas, storage, and hybridization. However, their implementation requires reasonable energy prices to support these more complex and costly investments.
In other regions, where energy prices are higher or energy mixes rely on conventional sources, renewables offer a significant opportunity to improve energy composition and help reduce prices in the long term.
Which Emerging Trends in Renewables Are the Most Promising?
Biogas and hybrid technologies combining wind, photovoltaics, and storage are fundamental as they provide solutions tailored to the specific needs of consumers and countries. We must be able to meet consumption demands, which means developing technologies that ensure a flexible and stable supply. Additionally, data centers and artificial intelligence are driving and solidifying a concept that is here to stay. In the energy sector, these technologies promise to increase energy consumption, which benefits us as it counters the tendency of developed countries to reduce their consumption—a trend that negatively impacts us.
How Does Government Regulation Affect Inver's Operations?
Regulatory changes are a determining factor in our operations, as they force us to stay updated and reinvent our strategies. For example, changes to Spain's Royal Decree 23/2020 required us to accelerate our typical timelines to ensure our projects’ viability. Similarly, modifications to PR20 in Peru before financial closure are prompting us to reconsider options and adjust our plans. Although these changes present challenges, by constantly monitoring and controlling them, they also become opportunities to adapt our methods and keep progressing in the right direction.
On Management and Operations
What Strategies Does the Company Use to Ensure the Sustainability and Efficiency of Its Projects?
Our strategy focuses on continuous monitoring and optimization. From design to operation, we implement best practices to maximize efficiency and minimize environmental impact. This includes using advanced technologies and adopting circular economy practices in the construction and maintenance of our facilities. The team’s global perspective enables us to adjust and enhance each project’s performance, ensuring efficient and sustainable operations.
How Does Inver Manage Risk in Its Renewable Energy Projects?
Constant analysis of internal and external factors that could impact our activity enables us to anticipate and adapt to these risks, thereby minimizing their effect on our projects. Additionally, it’s essential to manage risks carefully, especially when launching new projects. The commitments we make before reaching financial closure represent a significant risk, which we manage through strict execution timeline control. This approach involves finding a balance: pulling the string tight to manage risk, but not to the breaking point. This process is crucial to maintaining project viability and ensuring that each phase is effectively met.
"We must find a balance: pull the string to manage risk, but without breaking it," says Ernesto.
What Role Does Technological Innovation Play in the Company’s Strategy?
Technology allows us to scale our operations and make sense of the data we generate for decision-making. We use advanced monitoring systems and data analysis to continuously improve efficiency and adapt to market needs. This not only optimizes project performance but also enables us to anticipate changes and respond agilely to industry demands.
On Leadership and Corporate Culture
How Would You Describe Your Leadership Style and Its Influence on the Company’s Culture?
My leadership style is collaborative and transparent; I would define it as creating frameworks within which teams can focus, work comfortably, and remain engaged and enthusiastic. My goal is to create an environment where highly skilled teams have the freedom to innovate and grow, bringing their best to the table. This approach, in my view, empowers teams and fosters a company culture where everyone can share ideas, contribute, and grow both personally and professionally. It’s about paving the way for talent to shine and work its magic.
What Values Do You Consider Most Important for Any Company’s Success?
Trust is a fundamental value—not only among colleagues and supervisors but also in the company’s overall vision. Mutual trust ensures that every team member understands that their work is crucial to keeping things moving forward, fostering an environment of collaboration and commitment. Alongside trust, integrity, innovation, adaptability, and responsibility are essential to building strong relationships and achieving the company’s sustainable success.
How Does the Company Encourage Professional Development and Talent Retention?
At Inver, we believe in creating a framework that allows each person to develop and grow. We foster a “hands-off” environment where each professional has the opportunity to propose, collaborate, and improve both professionally and personally. Additionally, we share knowledge and work together to enhance everyone’s skills as colleagues and professionals. This creates a work environment where people feel valued and motivated to contribute to the company’s success.
"We foster a 'hands-off' environment where every professional has the opportunity to propose, collaborate, and improve both professionally and personally," Ernesto states.
About Grupo Enhol www.grupoenhol.es
At Grupo Enhol, we have spent over 90 years demonstrating in every new project and adventure that we can transform industries, leaving a deep, meaningful, and lasting impact: the footprint of our impact. Our commitment has driven us to reinvent diverse sectors, including agribusiness, healthy food, renewable energy, and real estate.
Our approach is guided by principles and values that shape our mission: to see community needs as opportunities for our activities to improve lives; and our method: utmost care for people, relationships with our partners, and reliability and responsibility in our daily work.
For more information:
Natalia Oliver y Marta Urzainqui
Marketing and Communications Department
T: 948 848 848
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