Hàjar El Mansouri has found her calling at the intersection of technical knowledge and social education in the world of renewables. As a regulation specialist at RIC Energy and a promoter of energy meetings at El Ateneo de Madrid, her mission is to democratize access to energy sector information and promote a more inclusive and conscious energy transition.

“I believe renewables need to be brought closer to people in a more direct and clear way,” she comments in an interview with Energía Estratégica España.

For El Mansouri, social opposition to renewable energy projects is deeply tied to a lack of understanding, and she emphasizes: “If you arrive in a municipality with an unfamiliar technology, it’s normal for there to be resistance. That’s why education and outreach are crucial.”

At El Ateneo de Madrid, she organizes meetings with the aim of promoting dialogue and addressing the concerns of interested citizens, providing tools to understand the economic, social, and environmental impacts of these projects.

“Residents want to see how the projects improve their daily lives,” she adds. From direct benefits like self-consumption in public buildings to reinvesting taxes like IBI or ICIO in local infrastructure, El Mansouri highlights that social acceptance depends on showing tangible results.

In this sense, the importance of collaboration between companies and local governments is evident.

“It is vital for local authorities to transparently communicate the benefits of renewable projects and how they will translate into improvements for the municipality,” details the executive, aiming not only to generate trust but also to strengthen the relationship between the renewable sector and local communities.

Legal certainty: the sector’s biggest challenge

In her experience as a regulation specialist, El Mansouri identifies the lack of legal certainty as one of the biggest challenges for the development of the sector.

“The energy transition requires stability and consensus. However, regulation has become a political weapon between parties, which creates uncertainty and hinders the achievement of climate goals,” she laments.

Administrative fragmentation also represents a significant obstacle, which is why she warns that “from European regulations to municipal licenses, the regulatory process is long and complex. Often, these barriers have nothing to do with technical aspects, but with partisan interests.”

Hàjar El Mansouri’s commitment to renewable energy is not isolated. According to her, a new generation of professionals is bringing an idealistic and conscious approach to the sector.

“The people I’ve met share a genuine interest in reducing emissions and making a positive impact. It’s a matter of ideals and purpose, beyond age,” she reflects.

For this reason, she also emphasizes that we must not lose sight of the overarching goal and the primary ideal that gave rise to the renewable energy sector.

“Sometimes we forget why we do what we do. This work only makes sense if we aim to improve our socioeconomic and environmental surroundings,” she states, emphasizing the urgency of the climate emergency.

Hàjar El Mansouri represents a new voice in the renewable energy sector, committed to educating, collaborating, and building bridges.

Her work at El Ateneo de Madrid and her professional experience at RIC Energy are a testament to how technical knowledge and a passion for change can converge to drive a more inclusive energy transition.

“The energy transition is a collective commitment. We need to remember that this work has a higher purpose: to guarantee a sustainable future for everyone,” concludes the specialist.