There is not a minute to lose. head cox groupAlicante Enrique Riquelme, announced this Thursday Expanded Abengoa’s workforce in some 1,700 people Since the assets of the multinational in Andalusia are rewarded for participating in projects that are in the portfolio of the firm, but paralyzed, especially in South America. In this way, the company already has 11,200 employeescompared to the 9,500 he had when bankruptcy was resolved.
This was confirmed by the businessman at a conference organized by the Alicante Chamber of Commerce, where he also announced the other “leg” of the group. Cox Energyfinally specialized in the implementation of renewable energy projects will debut next Monday on BME Growth, with a business plan Investment of approximately 3,500 million euros by 2026.
“We expanded the workforce, mainly due to discontinued projects in Latin America. decisions had to be made and we entered this company not to maintain it, but to grow,” said Riquelme. In this context, the businessman from Cojé has “a company in Abengoa” much better than we know it is and a company that grows from the first minute, we don’t wait for a second,” he said, emphasizing after reminding that the Commercial Court of Seville gave the assets of the former subsidiaries of Andalusia to the Cox group on April 18. bankruptcy where these companies are located.
Among other things, Riquelme believes that Abengoa is now “a debt free company“and one great potentialamong other things, thanks to them 255 patents in sectors such as desalination, communications infrastructure, satellites and even defense technology such as hydrogen fuel cells for submarines.
The new managers of the firm have already prepared an nnew strategic plan According to Riquelme, for the multinational company that is currently emerging to the bank and will be made public soon.
The businessman announced that after the Abengoa award, Cox Group now owns it. two big “sister” companies. On the one hand, grouping assets Andalusia multinationaland for another Cox Energyfocused on projects solar plants It exists in South America and Spain. As confirmed, a section, finally to be listed on BME Growth next Monday with an important business plan. will do in binary listing because the firm is already listed on the stock exchange mexican bagwhere this part of the group resides.
Riquelme is among Cox Energy’s future plans that this company is a A portfolio of more than 6,000 million projects the euro it expects to execute around 3,500 million by 2026with the introduction of some 5,000 megawatts in Southern Europe and Latin America.
Despite his presence on the stock market, the Alicante businessman continues to concentrate on the stock market. 85% of shareholdersas explained, before pointing out that the firm’s listing decision was in response to a posting request. “transparency” message and demonstrating good governance of the company as remembered, “Financing is crucial when it comes to growth and attracting talent and human capital”.
During the conference, Riquelme reviewed his work. career path, because his father “punished” him working at a family owned gas station to persuade him to improve his work, as hiking to panamawhere it became the main supplier of sand for the expansion of the canal. After this experience, he decided. diversify and decided to bet without knowing about the industry. renewableuntil they became one of the most promising groups in the industry, especially in South America.
In this context, Riquelme explained that Panama became interested in solar energy during the drought period and when the country started to experience supply problems given the significant economic growth of the country. “I think ‘If there is sun, hang panels’ and i met experts Let them explain it to me.” Of course, his first project in this sector was in Guatemala.
The president of Cox Energy referred to questions from attendees at the event, an event where he was presented by Carlos Baño and Jesús Navarro, president and first vice president of the Chamber, respectively. created rejection In many municipalities of the state deployment of large solar power plants.
In this context, Enrique Riquelme environmental protection class The necessity of these projects in Spain “and I wouldn’t say extreme especially in the Valencian Community but very high“. And despite admitting that there are “ugly” projects, there he insisted others that meet all warranties. Also, the industry Alicante companies need “cheap energy to be as competitive as possible”“. In all autonomy, Cox Energy accumulates projects of value. 700 million euros, as reported.
The businessman also reviewed some of the most difficult moments he had to overcome in his career, for example the day he had to overcome. Pawn the watch his father gave him for $220 -he was present at the event- because some customers didn’t pay him and his employees didn’t even have enough money to pay their salaries. In this context, he valued the entrepreneurial character and values that both his family and his land, Vega Baja, instilled in him.
Cox Energy and Sonnedix commission one of the largest power plants in Chile
Enrique Riquelme’s conference in Alicante coincided with the commissioning of the Meseta de los Andes solar plant in Chile, a 160-megawatt project that will become one of the largest photovoltaic installations in the South American country. It is a joint venture with Sonnedix, an independent solar power producer owned by institutional investors, managed by JP Morgan. In addition to creating 450 jobs, the plant will be able to generate the energy needed to power 186,000 homes, as the company reports.