The modernisation of administrative processes that affect the energy sector is becoming a key axis to accelerate the deployment of renewable projects in Spain. In this context, Marta Pérez García, Executive Director of Worldlex, proposed during FES Iberia 2025 to move forward on two complementary fronts: the digitalisation of procedures and the creation of one-stop shops that allow for simplification and greater predictability in processes.
From her legal and technical perspective, Pérez García was blunt in describing the current scenario: “We are part of a State that has a very complex administrative organisation,” she explained, referring to the overlap of competences among MITECO, autonomous communities, and municipalities.
Dispersed permitting: a structural obstacle
This structure, she pointed out, generates layers of permits that hinder processing and demand a more integrated approach. “We have to face that reality, but it is our reality, we cannot ignore it,” she emphasised.
Despite these difficulties, she valued the efforts of coordination being promoted by some communities and authorities, and stressed that dialogue between public and private actors is a viable path to reach agreements that facilitate energy development.
One-stop shops: a replicable solution
One of the most concrete contributions in her presentation was the defence of the one-stop shop model, already implemented with good results in some regions. “One proposal I also bring is the possibility of somehow strengthening some one-stop shops,” she stated, particularly highlighting the case of Andalusia. There, she illustrated, “you arrive and find someone who helps you through the steps.”
In this sense, the idea of having centralised guidance figures or platforms that can guide and accompany the step-by-step process could mean a significant reduction in times and greater transparency.
Digitalising to simplify
In this regard, digitalisation appears as an essential ally to reduce bureaucracy. According to Pérez García, moving forward with more agile and technological systems not only helps reduce times but also provides clarity in procedures. “Digitalising everything possible,” she proposes, as a tool that can transform the experience of promoters facing the current legal system.
The lawyer did not overlook the additional complexities surrounding energy permitting. “They are not just industrial permits,” she clarified, “we are also talking about environmental matters, there are environmental impact assessments, we have the closure of permits and authorisations from the autido,” the Worldlex referent warned, pointing out the need to organise this multiplicity of requirements under common criteria.
An optimistic outlook and a call to action
Beyond diagnosis and proposals, the tone of Marta Pérez García was notably constructive. “I am optimistic about this issue,” she expressed at the end of her intervention, inviting the sector to consider viable and sustainable solutions from the legal, technical, and operational perspectives.
Her participation in the event did not go unnoticed in a panel that brought together key players in the energy sector to discuss the challenges of demand and the new opportunities presented by PPAs, data centres, and public policy. In line with these themes, her approach focused on one of the most frequently cited bottlenecks by developers: slow, fragmented, and costly project permitting.
A legal perspective grounded in practice
The case of Andalusia was mentioned by Worldlex as an example to follow, but the message was clear: there is room for improvement across the country. For this, “someone who tells you, these are the procedures,” she proposed, would be a concrete advance. The idea of having a centralised orientation to guide and support the management steps could lead to a significant reduction in times and increased transparency.
From her role at Worldlex, Pérez García has been supporting legal advisory processes for companies in the energy sector, which gives her a direct view of the legal and technical barriers faced by the industry. This experience is reflected in her precise diagnosis and in practical proposals, ranging from regulatory to institutional aspects.
Towards smart and sustainable permitting
At an event like FES Iberia 2025 —which brought together key players from the Iberian and Latin American energy ecosystem— her message aims to open a new stage: one of smart permitting, combining digitalisation, coordination, and regulatory clarity as pillars of energy growth.
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