The General Assembly of APPA Biomasa has elected Guillermo Negro, CEO of Magnon Green Energy, as its new President. Negro boasts 25 years of experience in the industrial and energy sectors, having held senior executive positions at companies such as Ence, Alpiq Energía España, and currently Magnon Green Energy. With a strong institutional presence, Guillermo Negro has been involved in various industry associations, where he has actively championed the value of biomass in Spain.
His term begins at a decisive moment: the start of construction for all biomass projects aiming to reach the 2030 target of 1,409 MW set out in the Spanish National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC). Over the next five years, more than 400 MW must be installed to meet these objectives.
Over 25 Years Dedicated to the Energy Sector
The new President of APPA Biomasa has a successful track record in the energy industry. He holds an MSc in Industrial Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, a Master’s in Business Administration and an Advanced Management Programme from ESADE, as well as a PADE (Senior Business Management Programme) from IESE.
His professional career began at the Ence Group, where he spent 13 years holding various senior roles across Energy, Pulp and Finance departments, notably serving as Energy Director and Director of Planning and Control.
Following this, he joined Alpiq Energía España, where he worked for a decade as Managing Director and Member of the Board. At the Spanish subsidiary of the Swiss energy group, he strengthened his expertise in energy generation, energy market access services, trading, and the sale of electricity and gas to industrial clients. His extensive experience in the sector led to his appointment as CEO of Magnon Green Energy in January 2023.
On an institutional level, Guillermo Negro has sat on the boards of major industry associations, including APRIE, ACIE (where he also served as President), and the Spanish Energy Club. He also presided over the Hispano-Swiss Economic Association. This prominent institutional role now culminates in his presidency of APPA Biomasa.
Objectives for a New Phase
Asked about the goals for his first term as President of the Biomass Section of APPA Renovables, Guillermo Negro stressed the need to promote the value of this technology:
“We must enhance recognition of electricity from biomass as a key technology in the energy transition—it provides stability, dispatchability and inertia. We must also restore the traditional connection between renewables and rural areas. Biomass is uniquely positioned to achieve this due to its synergies with the agricultural, livestock, and forestry sectors. It is equally important to assert its role in the future—biomass electricity complements and strengthens other less controllable renewable sources,” he explained.
Ambition for a Dispatchable Technology
Regarding the benefits of dispatchability, Guillermo Negro was clear:
“Following the zero-energy event of 28 April, we must highlight that there are renewable sources capable of providing storage, dispatchability, and inertia,” he affirmed.
“The PNIEC has not fully accounted for the potential of biomass in our country. We must demand greater ambition going forward. Price must not be the sole criterion if we are to reach the goal of 81% renewable electricity by 2030,” stated the President of APPA Biomasa.
Biomass to Play a Central Role in Future Fuels
In addition to strengthening electricity from biomass, the new President emphasised expanding its scope:
“Biomass will play a pivotal role in decarbonising the industrial sector, particularly through the generation of renewable thermal energy. We must support projects aimed at replacing fossil fuels across a wide range of industrial processes. This will significantly reduce CO₂ emissions, making a decisive contribution to the transition toward a more sustainable industry.”
Likewise, Guillermo Negro highlighted biomass’s importance in renewable fuels:
“Technological progress allows us to look further ahead—biomass will be one of the key raw materials for the production of advanced renewable fuels. We must ensure Spain is well-positioned to lead this energy transition, including in the field of sustainable fuels.”
Guillermo Negro is CEO of Magnon Green Energy and brings 25 years of experience in the energy and industrial sectors
