Bilbao is for us in Euskadi (Basque Country) the main strategic node — headquarters of Iberdrola (Spain's largest energy group), Petronor Refinería (Repsol group), Mercedes-Benz Vitoria (Vito, V-Class), CAF Construcciones (rail vehicles) and Sener Group (engineering + aerospace). From Prešov it's a 3.5-hour flight via VIE or FRA to BIO Bilbao. We have no overland commute — the Basque Country is exclusively an air market.
Iberdrola HQ Bilbao — global renewable leader
Iberdrola has its global HQ in Bilbao and is not only Spain's largest energy group, but also one of the three global leaders in renewables (alongside NextEra and Ørsted). For an integrator with expertise in SiC power semi, battery storage and wind farm SCADA, Bilbao is the decision point for projects physically realised across Europe and Latin America.
Iberdrola internally segments supplier work into: - Iberdrola Networks — distribution and transmission infrastructure (SiC power semi in inverters, smart grid SCADA), - Iberdrola Renovables — wind farm controller, solar PV inverter, battery storage, - Iberdrola Generación — conventional generation (the same type of ATEX/SIL environment as Slovnaft).
For us Iberdrola HQ Bilbao is interesting as a decision point, but physical work often touches the Spanish Pamplona (Acciona, Gamesa Siemens in neighbouring Navarra), Extremadura (Iberdrola Renovables solar cluster) or Castilla-La Mancha (Iberdrola Renovables wind park). Bilbao functions as an entry point into this decision ecosystem.
Petronor Refinería — Repsol group in Bilbao
Petronor Refinería in Muskiz (15 km north of Bilbao) is Spain's second-largest refinery (after Repsol Cartagena) with capacity of 11 million tonnes of oil a year. For an integrator the same regime applies as for Cartagena — ATEX, SIL-3 hazard analysis, Repsol CMS (Contractor Management System) vendor prequalification, accreditation under UNE-EN 60079 for EPL Db rating.
For us Petronor is a segment where we're directly transferable from the Bratislava Slovnaft experience — our people have qualifications under STN EN 60079 and annual practice in ATEX zones. The Repsol CMS process is an additional investment we make only after the first confirmed contact.
Mercedes-Benz Vitoria — Vito and V-Class
Mercedes-Benz Vitoria (Vitoria-Gasteiz, 65 km south of Bilbao, the capital of Euskadi) is a manufacturer of Mercedes Vito and V-Class commercial vehicles — production around 130,000 vehicles a year. For an integrator Mercedes-Benz Production System (MPS) applies with its own audit geography, comparable to VW Konzernstandard or Stellantis SPW.
For us Mercedes Vitoria is a segment where we're directly transferable from the Bratislava automotive reference — Sondermaschinenbau, robotic-cell integration (KUKA, ABB, FANUC, Yaskawa, Universal Robots), MES integration, OPC UA backbone between lines.
CAF Construcciones — rail vehicles
CAF (Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles) in Beasain (60 km east of Bilbao) is a global manufacturer of rail vehicles — train sets, metro, trams. For an integrator the segment is similar to Stadler Wien or Siemens Mobility — own regulatory geography (TSI — Technical Specifications for Interoperability, EN 50126/50128/50129 for RAMS — Reliability, Availability, Maintainability, Safety), strict vendor audit, integration into the OEM's global supplier systems.
Sener Group, ITP Aero
Sener Group HQ in Getxo (10 km from Bilbao) is an engineering and aerospace group — from ITER fusion reactor to satellite systems and architectural engineering. For an integrator it's relevant via special projects with their own regulatory geography.
ITP Aero (Zamudio, 15 km from Bilbao) is a manufacturer of aero engines and components — Rolls-Royce subsidiary, strict EASA Part-145 plus internal ITP QMS.
Regulatory framework — Euskadi
Euskadi adds a regional layer above the national REBT. **Gobierno Vasco** maintains its own regional authorisation via Departamento de Desarrollo Económico, Sostenibilidad y Medio Ambiente. For cross-border suppliers that means an additional copy of posted-worker registration via the Basque portal (in parallel to the national REC).
REBT (RD 842/2002), UNE-HD 60364 and UNE-EN 60204-1 remain the minimum core. For building permits CTE plus Basque implementing decree, for inspections OCA accredited by ENAC.
For **documentation language** — Euskadi accepts castellano and euskera (Basque). For B2B business contact usted/ustedes formal register. Technical documentation in ES + EN standard, Basque official forms we accept with ES or EN reply.
Posted Workers — REC + Basque copy
REC registration 5 days in advance remains national; for Euskadi an additional regional copy is mandatory (similarly to Catalonia). For Iberdrola, Petronor and Mercedes Vitoria, internal vendor compliance audit is added. SMI €1,184/month plus Convenio Colectivo (for Euskadi regional convenios often apply with higher minimums than nationally).
Our commuting relationship
For Bilbao we work exclusively by air. For Vitoria-Gasteiz (Mercedes-Benz) transport by car 65 km from Bilbao. For Beasain (CAF) transport by car 60 km. For Muskiz (Petronor) transport by car 15 km. Accommodation typically in Bilbao centre or in Getxo (for Sener Group).
Rolling-team regime for repeat cooperation, two-week minimum scope of work.
Which pillars fit best
For Iberdrola and the renewable energy ecosystem — **Electro + Automation** with focus on SiC power semi, battery storage controllers, wind farm SCADA. Bilbao functions as a decision point; physical execution is in Pamplona, Extremadura or Castilla-La Mancha.
For Petronor and the Repsol group — **Electro + Industry** with strong ATEX and SIL focus. The Bratislava Slovnaft experience is directly transferable.
For Mercedes-Benz Vitoria — **Industry + Automation + Electro**. Sondermaschinenbau, robotic-cell integration, EV transformation elements.
For CAF and the rail segment — for clean non-safety zones deliverable; for core railway work TSI/RAMS expertise is required, which we complete according to specific scope.
Conclusion
In Bilbao we're in an active acquisition phase. The Iberdrola renewable energy ecosystem and Petronor petrochemicals are two primary opened segments with directly transferable competencies from Slovak references. For the first Basque client we're ready with a rolling-team regime with an additional Basque compliance layer.