Elixabete Etxanobe inaugurates the new Energy Technologies Hub at the Somorrostro Training Centre

Today marked a historic day for the Somorrostro Training Centre with the official opening of the new “Energy Technologies Hub”, an innovative space dedicated to training, technology and collaboration that reinforces the centre’s commitment to the energy transition, innovation and a direct link to the real needs of industry. The event was presided over by the Deputy General of Bizkaia, Elixabete Etxanobe, and brought together around 70 people, including institutional representatives, partner companies, EBI educational centres and various social and economic stakeholders from the local area.

The opening ceremony took place at the refurbished Erkizia building, a venue with over 90 years of history in Muskiz which, following a major refurbishment and transformation, has now become a leading centre for advanced training in renewable energy, digitalisation and energy technologies.

The event began with an opening address by the centre’s director, Javier Laiseca, who presented the project and introduced the HUB’s official video. This was followed by speeches from Iñigo Diego, Head of Talent and Project Development at Ingeteam; Jon Labaka, Deputy Minister for Vocational Training; Vicar General Kerman López; and the Deputy General herself, before a guided tour of the new facilities.

Laiseca wished to extend special thanks to the Provincial Council of Bizkaia, Muskiz Town Council and the partner companies that have made this project possible, emphasising that “the opening of these new facilities represents a great opportunity for those wishing to train in technologies related to the energy transition, as well as for companies committed to innovation and new business niches”.

During her speech, the Deputy General highlighted the strategic importance of the project for the industrial future of Bizkaia, and particularly for Ezkerraldea-Meatzaldea. Etxanobe emphasised that “the Somorrostro Energy Technology Hub is a strategic component of the ecosystem that Bizkaia is building to lead the energy transition” and highlighted the value of the collaborative model between vocational training, businesses, institutions and technology centres.

Vicar General Kerman Lopez took the opportunity during the event to pay tribute to the founder of the Somorrostro Training Centre. “The legacy of Don Marcelo Gangoiti compels us to ensure that the work carried out at this state-of-the-art centre serves to uphold the dignity of every human being and the society in which they live,” he said.

Iñigo Diego, Director of Talent and Organisational Development at Ingeteam, emphasised that the future of energy is built by connecting business, training and technology. He also explained that it was this conviction and the close relationship that was being forged with Somorrostro that led Ingeteam to sign “a collaboration agreement which, from the outset, we understood to be a strategic relationship for the medium and long term and which has led to the launch of several joint projects”. In his view, this Hub will be “the place where technology, sustainability and talent come together to generate real opportunities”.

A space designed with the future of energy in mind

The new HUB has been established with the aim of becoming a space where students and businesses can learn, conduct research, test technologies and develop real-world projects related to the energy sector. The building is equipped with specialist facilities for wind power, solar photovoltaics, smart grids, energy storage, electric mobility, energy efficiency, artificial intelligence, data analysis and power electronics, amongst other technologies.

In this context, the Somorrostro Training Centre will offer the Higher National Diploma in Renewable Energy, the Higher National Diploma in Electronic Maintenance, the Specialisation Course in Artificial Intelligence and Big Data, and the Specialisation Course in the Digitalisation of Industrial Maintenance. Furthermore, it is planned that from the 2028–2029 academic year, a Bachelor’s Degree in Renewable Energy Engineering will also be offered in collaboration with Mondragon Unibertsitatea.

The project aims to introduce young people to career opportunities linked to the energy transition, foster new careers in technology, and help local businesses access specialist talent. All of this will also strengthen the energy ecosystem in Ezkerraldea-Meatzaldea and complement strategic initiatives such as the Energy Intelligence Centre in Abanto-Zierbena.

A smart and sustainable building

One of the HUB’s key features is that the building itself serves as an educational laboratory. Constructed using sustainable, industrialised systems and without the need for water, cement or bricks, it incorporates sensors capable of collecting data on temperature, humidity, solar radiation and wind, for subsequent analysis using artificial intelligence and digital twins.

In addition, facilities such as the training lift provided by OTIS will also be used for the technical training of professionals in the sector. All of this makes this new space a vibrant environment for learning, innovation and collaboration with businesses.

We at the Somorrostro Training Centre would like to thank all the individuals, companies and institutions who joined us on such an important day for our present and, above all, for the future of training and industry in our region.