23/12/25
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Estimated reading time 5 minutes
Belén López (Nostrum Group): “A regulatory change that allows permitting timelines to be reduced is extremely important”
The development of renewable energy has led the sector to a level of maturity that is also reflected in market operators. One example is Nostrum Group, which has been active in the sector since 2009 and has therefore turned experience into a defining feature of its services. Belén López, Renewable Director at Nostrum Group, explores what sets the company apart and its specialization in tackling projects of all kinds.
How would you describe the evolution of the renewable energy business from the company’s beginnings to today?
Since our founding in 2009, Nostrum Group (formerly Ingenostrum) has followed a path of constant transformation. We started out developing utility-scale projects at a time when costs were high and technological competitiveness was limited. Our first major developments, ranging from 100 to 300 MW in northern Chile, were made possible thanks to the trust of partners such as Terna, EDP, and Enel. Today, we operate in a far more demanding environment, and our ability to adapt to these changes has been key to staying at the forefront of a sector that is constantly evolving.
What have been the most relevant milestones demonstrating your capabilities in the sector?
Our calling card is the development of more than 10 GW under a co-development model, in which Nostrum Group has taken full responsibility for permitting and approvals through to the construction phase. To give concrete examples, there is the Brovales Cluster (Badajoz), with 400 MW of solar capacity in operation connected to 400 kV infrastructure, or our projects in Colombia, with 750 MW also already operational. Currently, one of the grid nodes where we have the strongest presence is in Aragón, the well-known Mudéjar node, a 1 GW development that includes battery storage for Enel Green Power. Our client portfolio includes leading companies in the sector, such as utilities, investment funds, and renewable and industrial project developers. Among them are Endesa, Statkraft, Ørsted, QEnergy, and Lantania. I believe this is the best possible introduction and the strongest guarantee that, within Nostrum New Energies, we carry out meticulous, precise, and demanding work that enables our clients to achieve their objectives.
What sets you apart from other developers and engineering firms working on similar projects?
I would highlight three main aspects: our agility, the adaptability of the entire team, and, of course, a highly valued personalized approach. Even though services may fall under the same general category, each client’s needs differ greatly. Timelines vary, as do objectives. We adapt to each client and integrate seamlessly with them. We work as a single team, with full transparency, always proactive in providing solutions and even anticipating potential issues. We are a team of 70 professionals who have turned flexibility into a competitive advantage. We anticipate market needs, respond quickly to permitting processes, and this personalized, agile approach is the main reason for our strong client loyalty.
What types of services do you offer to external clients, and how do they integrate into the energy sector value chain?
First and foremost, we place ourselves at their service to act as an extension of their company. It is essential for us that they feel supported by a comprehensive service covering the entire life cycle of the project entrusted to us. We help identify the best sites with the most suitable characteristics depending on the specific needs, carry out technical, environmental, and even urban planning pre-feasibility studies. If the client approves the project, we manage the entire permitting process until all authorizations are obtained. If required, we also accompany them through commissioning and even the operational phase. As I mentioned earlier, we become another department within their own organization.
All these services integrate into the energy sector’s value chain by reducing risks and timelines and, above all, by providing certainty to our clients.
How do you ensure the quality and reliability of your services in such complex projects?
We are well aware that competition in our service offering is very high, which is why we have based our model on being more demanding than standard industry benchmarks. We map out the most critical paths, anticipate potential risks, and monitor in real time every action we implement. We value transparency with our clients and share any information that may be relevant to the project, even if it falls outside the contracted scope. If we believe it can help the companies we work with, we have no hesitation in involving them. We believe this is essential to building a climate of trust.
You have worked with major international technology companies and IBEX 35 firms. What does earning their trust mean to you?
It is both a great satisfaction and a major challenge. It validates our technical solvency and credibility, but it also requires us to remain constantly up to date, stay informed about the latest technologies, and closely follow regulatory developments. These are the kinds of clients who continuously evaluate you and knowing that their assessments are consistently positive motivates us to keep moving forward and learning every day. The fact that large European utilities, investment funds, and even hyperscalers trust us demonstrates that we deliver the security, professionalism, and results demanded by some of the most exacting players in the market.
What do these companies look for when choosing a partner like Nostrum Group?
Above all, they seek a reliable, solution-oriented, and committed partner. When a project becomes part of our service portfolio, the entire Nostrum New Energies organization is mobilized to ensure that procedures progress without bottlenecks. We act as managers of administrative processes and do so swiftly. I believe this creates peace of mind that projects will reach successful completion within the expected timelines—something that is critical in this sector.
What challenges and opportunities do you see in the renewable energy sector and in your third-party services over the coming years?
The challenges are numerous. First, meeting the ambitious targets of the 2030–2050 National Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC). To achieve this, strengthening the transmission and distribution grid is essential. To provide investment certainty, a regulatory change that allows permitting timelines to be reduced is extremely important. In addition, ensuring the financial viability of projects in a highly volatile environment such as the current one is crucial. And, of course, defining a clear regulatory framework for energy storage.
Opportunities lie in the development of more affordable battery technologies, digitalization, and a market—both industrial and residential—that is increasingly aware of the importance of green energy. A key opportunity will also come from the development of green hydrogen at competitive costs.
For Nostrum Group and the Nostrum New Energies division, the opportunity arises because in all these areas we possess extensive know-how, positioning us as a strategic partner for managing complex projects with a 360-degree approach.
How does your work contribute to the energy transition and sustainability goals?
Well, it’s not so much that we contribute to them as that our DNA is shaped by the energy transition and sustainability. Nothing we do can go against these criteria, which are part of our founding principles. With this mindset, we collaborate with environmental organizations to meet demanding requirements. In addition, we apply a best-practice policy that includes annual investment KPIs in voluntary measures to improve environmental impact and local development in the areas where we implement our projects. In this way, we ensure that every initiative contributes to a fair, sustainable, and responsible energy transition.
What message would you send to potential clients about why you are a trusted strategic partner?
The credibility that comes from more than 16 years of experience in developing renewable energy, industrial, and electrical infrastructure projects, representing over 10 GW developed. Our value proposition combines comprehensive expertise across the entire project life cycle with strength and a long-term vision. This positions us as a trusted strategic partner. .
Source: REVISTA CAPITAL
Source: 14 october 2025
