Enrique Riquelmepresident and founder of Cox Energy Groupit is clear that “the future of the company is in the water», by promoting this part of the activity to the detriment of energy, even if he sees “opportunities in the storage” of energy. He wanders through the meeting rooms of his office to attend various interviews. He doesn’t want and doesn’t like to be the protagonist, but he is aware that “this is what we have to do” now that the company has just gone public. bag.
“We already have experience in the stock market,” he says, referring to the dual registration -double listing in different countries- that they have had in Spain since 2023 with the one listed in Mexico, “but it has been an important step”. In fact, he believes that if they continue like this, they will be a “serious candidate to be in the Ibexwith the opportunities that this implies.
Riquelme has 35 years oldand has been growing thanks to its energy companies since Panama And Mexico until the resumption of the productive units of Abengoa, and they have just completed “the largest water desalination plant in the Abu Dhabi“. In this sense, it boasts of being “leader in the water sector” and of carrying out the strategic plan step by step. They also reached a milestone in Saudi Arabia just a few days ago.
The company was listed at the lower end of the stated range, but met expectations and, more importantly, managed to maintain level and stability in these early stages of price.
Enrique Riquelme He communicates well, he explains himself well, he talks about “the necessary and obligatory transparency that regulators demand”, which, according to him, makes them “stronger” and will give the company a lot of confidence. Indeed, large international funds linked to the water sector have already chosen to enter the company, and the president of the Group Cox Energy He hopes they will be there for a “long time.” “We will see,” he adds, “when they reveal their positions and give an analysis of the company.” He says this without fear that these analyzes could be better or worse. “We will see if anything needs to be changed or not, and where they think the Group is going to go.”
The situation in Spain
Riquelme avoids hassle with tax changes in the energy sector by Spain. He sums it up in a very left-wing sentence: “We are facing regulatory changes around the world.” The truth is that he believes that “betting on Spain always makes sense”. He says it with a feeling of belonging and with the pride of knowing the territory – it is not for nothing that the company bears the name of his city.
He considers that Spain “has an opportunity thanks to its position in renewable energies, and that there is this option for growth in the energy storage“.
Concerning Cox Energy Group, Riquelme claims that Spain “represents 10% of their activity”, that it is “much more diversified” and that, in purely energy terms, they do not intend to be “leaders in anything” , but rather to “feed what they need”, from within, the water sector. “Large investments” are mainly made “outside Spain”.
The integration of Abengoa
“The talent came from Seville“. Riquelme takes nothing away from the talent possessed by the workers of Abengoa, and celebrates “the integration of the productive units of this company within Cox Energy Group». This does not close the door to any further acquisitions, but “out of prudence, avoiding risks and maintaining stable cash flow.”
And why did he fall Abengoa? Riquelme He doesn’t hide, but he plays well with his left hand: “If I told you something, it would be a lie, because I don’t know. But there is no point in looking back. He assures that “every minute” of his time was devoted to “organizing the company” and being able to present it to shareholders as part of the strategic plan, and that “what did not work no longer has any relevance.” importance”, but rather “focus on the future.” future“.
