• Energy management will have to be closely monitored as it begins to influence upcoming electoral cycles in Extremadura, Andalucía and Castilla y León.

  • What was once handled exclusively in technical back offices now appears in party manifestos and in what citizens interpret as “what affects me”.

  • You don’t win elections by promising good energy policy, but you can lose them if energy collides with citizens or the territory: leading the narrative around energy can strengthen a party’s storyline; neglecting it can become a source of electoral erosion.

  • What used to be “how we manage kilowatts” is now “how we create jobs, protect the territory and attract industry”.

14 November 2025

Energy management has ceased to be a purely technical matter and has become a political lever: what once lived in back-office conversations now shapes party programmes, campaign lines, and—above all—what citizens perceive as “what affects me”.

A few weeks ago, we highlighted the relevance of energy management in the regional elections in Extremadura, where the future of the Almaraz power plant and the reduction of the ecotax are emerging as electoral arguments. They already show signs that kilowatts and emissions can influence the ballot box—indirectly, but strongly.

Now, ahead of the upcoming regional elections in Andalucía and Castilla y León, it is worth asking to what extent energy management will continue to play a transversal role in electoral processes.

Why does energy management matter for winning or losing elections?

Energy policy may not be the first thing a voter thinks about when deciding their vote, but it acts as a transversal element that connects with employment, local economies, business investment, land-use management, and vulnerability to prices or disruptions. Well-communicated energy management reinforces messages that citizens understand and value, whereas a low-visibility or controversial approach can erode trust and weaken political narratives. Elections are not won by promising good energy policy, but they can be lost if energy clashes with citizens or with the territory.

A clear example is the emergence of biogas plants. Although they are key for decarbonisation and for recovering agricultural and livestock waste, their deployment triggers strong local opposition in many rural municipalities due to logistical impacts, odour concerns and perceived environmental risks. This territorial conflict forces parties to take visible political positions: supporting the technology and investment—accepting tensions with neighbours and local associations—or aligning with local opposition, which may be interpreted as slowing down the energy transition. This tug-of-war could turn biomethane into an electoral debate vector, forcing leaders to justify not only the “where” but also the “how” of the transition.

Energy gains political dimension because it simultaneously affects employment, industrial activity, social acceptance of projects, company competitiveness and citizens’ perception of prices and supply quality. Technical as it may be, its decisions have direct impact on people’s lives and on the image of those who govern. Leading it well strengthens a party’s narrative; neglecting it can become a source of political wear.

Andalucía between olive groves and megawatts: a territory in dispute

In Andalucía, tension moves from the electric meter to the olive grove. The energy transition intersects with landscape, agricultural employment and territorial identity. The region has raised its ambitions on renewables. Its Energy Strategy Andalucía 2030 sets more demanding targets for renewable contribution, energy efficiency and industry. But the deployment of large solar plants in olive-growing areas—highly sensitive in terms of employment, rural identity and landscape—creates social friction that spills into public debate.

This intersection between energy, territory and tradition could turn energy management into a campaign issue. Parties are not just talking about megawatts; they are debating development models, the future of agricultural jobs, the role of local communities—core elements of political narratives. Ahead of the 2026 elections, these debates around “solar olive groves”, territory and agricultural employment will be key, even if the word “energy” is not always explicitly mentioned.

From depopulation to leadership: Castilla y León’s energy momentum

In Castilla y León, renewable energy is no longer a promise: it is part of the region’s competitiveness—something that can translate into electoral messaging. In absolute terms, Castilla y León was Spain’s leading region in green production in 2024 and achieved the highest share of renewable energy over total generation, at 92.8%, according to the 2024 capacity and generation report by Opina 360. For industry, investment attraction and job creation in sparsely populated areas, this is a powerful calling card.

In an electoral process, this narrative directly touches what many companies and industries look for: supply stability, predictable costs and a future-oriented profile. Ahead of the 2026 elections, energy can reinforce the storyline of a “competitive, forward-looking region” that parties may seek to project.

What can we expect from energy management in the next electoral cycle?

It is no exaggeration to say that energy management has entered the political arena with all the attributes of an electoral game. This transition—from technical to political—has deep implications for industry, regions and the parties that aspire to govern. What was once “how we manage kilowatts” is now “how we create jobs, protect the territory and attract industry”.

In this new context, energy management is no longer just for experts: it is also a matter for citizens, voters and territories. In the upcoming regional cycle, with elections scheduled in Extremadura, Andalucía and Castilla y León, we will see how this new standard unfolds in programmes, debates and ballot boxes. And as always, industry will be watching closely—because what is at stake is its competitiveness, energy costs and long-term future.