Taking the wind to the wires! How renewables get to the grid

Headquartered in the Basque Country, Ormazabal designs and manufactures advanced medium-voltage switchgear, transformer substations, protection systems and digital automation solutions. While wind turbines capture the energy of the wind, it is companies like Ormazabal that ensure the electricity generated can be safely controlled, protected and delivered into the grid.

At the base of each wind turbine sits critical electrical infrastructure, often described as the "control box." In reality, this consists of sophisticated medium-voltage switchgear and protection equipment. These systems manage the turbine's electrical output, safeguard circuits, monitor performance and enable communication with the wider distribution network. From there, electricity flows to a collector substation, where it is transformed and fed into the grid.

Ormazabal's expertise lies precisely in these essential systems. Its solutions help grid operators integrate increasing volumes of renewable electricity while maintaining stability, safety and efficiency. As wind and other renewables expand across Europe, the reliability and digital intelligence of such medium-voltage infrastructure become ever more crucial.

The visit also highlighted the strong leadership link between industry and association. Javier Ormazabal, CEO and President of Velatia and Ormazabal, serves as President of Orgalim. His dual role reflects a shared commitment to strengthening Europe's technology industries and supporting policies that enable innovation, competitiveness and decarbonisation.

For Orgalim, the Bilbao visit was an opportunity to see industrial excellence in action and to reaffirm the importance of a robust European manufacturing base. Companies like Velatia and Ormazabal demonstrate how homegrown expertise in electrical engineering and grid technology is directly contributing to Europe's energy transition and strategic autonomy.

As Europe accelerates towards climate neutrality, advanced electrical infrastructure will remain indispensable. The technologies developed in Bilbao are connecting wind farms to the grid and in doing so, helping power Europe's sustainable future.