June 27, 2025

This year marks the 40th anniversary of a milestone that transformed the Spanish music scene: Max Mix 1. Released in 1985, this record was not just a compilation—it was a mixing masterpiece in which two disc jockeys blended disparate tracks into a vibrant, continuous sequence, creating a previously unheard sound experience. Its impact went beyond music, showcasing the power of dynamic orchestration.

Choosing this analogy to discuss such a critical issue as industrial energy management is no coincidence. Just as Max Mix captured the imagination of a generation, today’s complex and dynamic energy mix calls for a fresh perspective. For those who lived through that era, the nostalgic echo of those innovative beats will undoubtedly resonate.

Today, we face an equally complex and strategic challenge: managing the energy mix—that is, how different energy sources complement one another to generate the energy needed in Spain and, of course, by its industry. And while it may seem at first glance that renewables are setting the pace, we are still far from having these sources become the soloists in our special energy music mix. In fact, they may never fully take that role, because as far as we know, making either music or energy requires coordinated performance from multiple artists.

It’s worth noting upfront that the definition of energy mix is more complex than it seems. Even more so when, as in the case of Foro Industria y Energía, we refer to the energy mix of industry—meaning the energy sources currently powering Spanish industry. In previous reports, we’ve already made efforts to map this industrial energy mix to define where the energy used by industry in Spain comes from, but the data is still an approximation. The complexity is evident in the fact that IDAE itself announced in January 2023 that it would carry out a study on energy consumption in the industrial sector, expected to be published in 2024, and which remains unavailable.

In the meantime, the most accurate figures remain those from our latest report in collaboration with Opina 360, based on MITECO (Spanish Ministry of Ecological Transition) data. It concluded that 48.6% of the energy consumed by industry comes directly or indirectly from natural gas (including via electricity generation), while renewables—including hydropower—account for around 29%. Only slightly more than half of that 29% is electricity. The rest comes from nuclear energy—again, via electricity consumption—and from renewable gases or biomass to a lesser extent.

It is often forgotten that the industrial energy mix is not just the electricity production mix. They are simply two different things. One is analyzing the sources used to produce all the energy industry consumes, and another is analyzing the mix used to generate electricity—a figure that can be obtained quickly and reliably from REE data and over which industry has little control. Electricity is one of the energy sources used by industry—but it is not the only one, although sometimes it feels like we’re being led to believe otherwise.

The Future of the Industrial Energy Mix

Given the situation, and inspired by those pioneering DJs, we’ve taken the liberty—or almost the playful challenge—of reflecting on how to build the ideal energy mix, applying the principles of dynamic blending, inherent unpredictability, and strategic selection that once defined the dancefloor.

The Art of the Energy Mix: Beyond the Sum of Its Parts

The essence of Max Mix lay in its ability to be more than just a collection of songs. It was a seamless, fluid amalgam of diverse musical tracks. The DJs demonstrated exceptional skill in pivoting between songs with different beats per minute (BPM), creating an energetic, cohesive flow that transcended the individuality of each song.

The art of the megamix wasn’t limited to selecting tracks; it involved actively transforming and integrating individual elements into a new, continuous, synergistic entity. The real impact and artistry came from the smooth transitions and overall flow of the album, showing how seemingly unrelated components could be orchestrated into a unified, dynamic whole. This process of creative mixing—which required both technical skill and intuitive understanding of rhythm and audience interaction—is a powerful metaphor for understanding energy mix management.

The Unpredictable Symphony of Power: Decoding the Energy Mix

Broadly speaking, the energy mix refers to the combination of various energy sources. More precisely, it quantifies the proportion of different energy types used to power a company, an industrial activity, or an entire nation. The strategic importance of understanding and managing this mix lies in its ability to enable diversification of sources, allow for the establishment of clear economic, ecological, and regulatory goals, and provide a framework to compare energy use trends over time and across sectors or countries.

Much like a live DJ set, the energy mix is far from static—it is a constantly evolving composition influenced by a multitude of dynamic factors, including:

  • The intermittency of renewable sources, which requires sophisticated management.

  • Geopolitical and economic volatility, which directly impacts fossil fuel prices and causes unpredictable cost fluctuations.

  • Regulatory and policy changes, which continuously reshape the desired and mandatory energy mix.

  • Technological advancements, which introduce new “tracks” or components such as advanced battery storage and smart grid solutions.

The interconnectedness of these factors means that the energy mix is not linearly predictable. A change in one area—say, a geopolitical event affecting gas prices—can trigger ripple effects across the entire system. The constant need to balance electricity supply and demand in real time further underscores its adaptive and reactive nature. Understanding the energy mix as a complex, adaptive system is essential for effective planning and management. This means that static models or one-dimensional solutions are inadequate. Strategies must be robust, flexible, and capable of responding to emerging properties and unforeseen interactions between components. Just as a DJ must continually adapt to the crowd’s mood, technical glitches, or sudden shifts in music trends, energy managers must navigate a fluid and unpredictable landscape.

Defining the optimal energy mix is inherently a multi-objective optimization problem. There is no universally “perfect” mix; rather, the ideal composition is a context-dependent balance reflecting specific national or industrial priorities, available resources, and technological maturity. This adds another layer of complexity to strategic decision-making and policy development, going beyond mere technical feasibility or resource availability. The ability to respond dynamically and make data-driven decisions is paramount for effective energy management in today’s complex landscape.

Who Will Be the “Energy Jockey” Conducting the Energy Orchestra?

In this increasingly dynamic and unpredictable energy environment, industrial energy managers are evolving beyond traditional roles to become true Energy Jockeys (EJs). Their task resembles that of a DJ: mastering the complex and inexact science of defining, balancing, and optimizing the energy mix. Their strategic role is critical to ensuring industrial competitiveness, maintaining operational continuity, and driving sustainability without compromise.

Given the inherent uncertainties in energy markets, policies, and technologies, EJs must adopt sophisticated planning methodologies. This ensures that strategic decisions are both robust enough to withstand unexpected changes and flexible enough to adapt. It requires dynamic approaches, scenario planning, and the use of advanced modeling techniques to evaluate multiple future possibilities.

Dancing Toward a Sustainable Future: Strategic Imperatives for Industry

The trajectory of industrial energy management in the 21st century is, in essence, comparable to a continuous, evolving Max Mix. It demands vision, technical skill, and the agility to adapt to new “tracks” (emerging technologies), fluctuating “BPMs” (market prices and dynamic demand), and unpredictable “audience reactions” (geopolitical events, regulatory changes, and climate impacts). Energy Jockeys are constantly curating this complex symphony, striving to achieve a harmonious blend that optimizes performance.

Mastering the energy mix is no longer just about incremental cost control. It has risen to the level of a strategic imperative for long-term competitiveness, solid operational resilience, and unwavering environmental stewardship. The industries that embrace this dynamic challenge with strategic foresight—leveraging innovation and adaptability—will be the ones dancing confidently to the beat of a sustainable and prosperous future.