The company brings to a close the Energy Storage Conference organised by Cluergal with the presentation of four pumped‑storage hydroelectric power plant projects totalling more than 1,200 MW of capacity and 17 GWh of energy storage in Galicia.

Magtel was responsible for closing the Energy Storage Conference in Galicia, organised by Cluergal – the Galician Renewable Energy Cluster, a benchmark forum for analysing the role of energy storage in the current context of transformation of the electricity system.

The closing address was delivered by Andrés Zapico, Magtel’s Director of Hydropower Projects, who focused his presentation on the strategic value of hydropower storage through pumped‑storage plants, arguing for their role as core infrastructure to ensure the stability, flexibility and security of the energy system.

Energy storage: a structural prerequisite of the energy system

During his address, Zapico emphasised that energy storage has evolved from being a complementary element to becoming an indispensable condition for the effective functioning of the electricity system.

The closing of the conference highlighted that energy storage cannot be approached as a secondary element, but rather as an essential component in enabling the transition towards a sustainable and decarbonised electricity model. This type of power plant provides security and reliability to the electricity system, as it additionally contributes inertia and grid synchronisation.

Four pumped‑storage hydroelectric power plant projects with a system‑wide perspective

Magtel presented four pumped‑storage hydroelectric power plant projects for energy storage which, taken together, amount to more than 1,200 MW of installed capacity and a storage capacity of 17 GWh. These are infrastructures designed with a clear system‑wide vision, aimed at actively integrating into the operation of the electricity market, providing flexibility, regulation capacity and structural support to the grid.

Galicia, a particularly favourable region

One of the key points highlighted during the presentation was the analysis of Galicia’s specific potential for the development of hydropower energy storage. The region brings together a unique combination of water resources, topographical elevation differences and existing infrastructure, placing it in an особенно favourable position for this type of development and enabling the utilisation of accumulated technical expertise adapted to new energy needs.

Un impacto positivo en todas las fases del proyecto

Magtel puso el acento en el impacto positivo que estos proyectos generan en el territorio a lo largo de todo su ciclo de vida. Desde las fases iniciales de diseño y tramitación administrativa, pasando por la construcción y hasta la operación, las centrales reversibles movilizan empleo cualificado, inversión industrial y actividad técnica especializada, dejando una huella económica y social sostenida en el tiempo.

Infrastructure designed to serve multiple generations

Pumped‑storage hydroelectric power plants are distinguished by their long service life. The civil works are designed to operate well beyond 100 years, while the electromechanical equipment is engineered to function for around 50 years. This time horizon makes these facilities long‑term strategic assets, capable of delivering sustained value to the electricity system and to society over several generations.

Through its participation in the Energy Storage Conference in Galicia, Magtel reaffirms its commitment to a robust, long‑term‑oriented energy model, in which hydropower storage is consolidated as a central pillar for ensuring system stability, maximising the use of renewable energy sources, and contributing in a sustained manner to the development of the region.