At CT, we are reinforcing our role as a leading technology partner in upgrading control, automation, and electrical distribution systems at some of Spain’s most key hydroelectric power plants.
Hydroelectric energy has been part of Iberdrola’s history from the very beginning. The present-day company was born out of the integration of historic firms such as Iberduero and Hidroeléctrica Española (Hidrola), heirs to more than a century of hydroelectric development in Spain. Thanks to this legacy, Iberdrola now operates one of the country’s most significant hydroelectric fleets, with facilities playing a fundamental role in renewable generation and pumped-storage energy storage.
In this context, CT is participating in the framework agreement for the renewal of control cabinets across Iberdrola’s hydroelectric plants, contributing to the technological modernization of strategic facilities for the Spanish power grid.
Over the past few years, our engineering teams have developed projects in more than 30 hydroelectric power plants, ranging from mini-hydro plants and conventional facilities to large pumped-storage complexes. Among the sites covered are some of the most iconic in the country, such as Aldeadávila, Valdecañas, Saucelle, and Támega.
This extensive track record has consolidated CT’s deep understanding of the technical, operational, and safety specifics required by Iberdrola’s hydroelectric facilities.
Technical Challenges: Digitalization and Advanced Electrical Engineering
One of the main challenges of these projects has been retrieving and digitizing existing engineering data. In many facilities, the original documentation had been created decades ago and was either scattered or in formats that made maintenance and updates difficult.
To address this need, at CT we carried out a thorough process of analysis and documentation of existing installations, subsequently generating new engineering fully developed in EPLAN, providing a modern, structured documentary base aligned with current electrical design standards.
This modernization has also included the comprehensive renewal of control cabinets, as well as updating the Motor Control Centers (MCC) and the auxiliary service panels for alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC), fundamental elements to guarantee the safe and reliable operation of the hydro units and plant auxiliary systems.
In addition, CT Engineering Group has been responsible for developing and implementing the startup and shutdown automation logic for the generation units using Schneider Electric Modicon M580 PLCs, a high-performance control platform that improves operational reliability, facilitates maintenance tasks, and ensures greater flexibility for future plant expansions or modifications.
Unified Remote Management and Comprehensive Service Vision
All of these plants are monitored and operated remotely from the Hydro Operations Center (COHI, by its Spanish acronym), located in Salamanca. The overhaul and integration of all the plants into a single control room was carried out by our technicians.
Both scopes of work complement the framework agreement for protection system renewals, thereby providing Iberdrola with a comprehensive solution for both systems delivered by CT.
This combination of electrical engineering, industrial automation, and equipment renewal has made it possible to modernize the facilities and adapt them to current standards, improving their availability and ensuring compliance with existing operational, safety, and industrial cybersecurity requirements.
CT’s participation in these projects highlights the trust placed by Iberdrola in the technical capabilities of our teams to execute complex interventions on critical renewable generation infrastructure. At the same time, it reinforces the company’s commitment to the digital transformation of the energy sector and to developing solutions that contribute to more efficient, safe, and sustainable operations.
With over 35 years of experience in advanced engineering, CT Engineering Group continues to drive forward projects that combine innovation, digitalization, and technical excellence to meet the challenges of the energy transition and build the infrastructure of the future.
