Simultaneous staging of the International Week Electrification and Decarbonisation Week, with GENERA + MATELEC, together with C&R, has convened a unique strategic platform for the HVAC, energy and electrification sectors in Europe
IFEMA MADRID concludes the International Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Exhibition, C&R, and the International Week of Electrification and Decarbonisation, with GENERA + MATELEC, which were held jointly for the first time. Combined, these three trade fairs attracted more than 102,000 professional visitors and nearly 1,200 companies, consolidating this event as a European benchmark in energy transition, industrial innovation and sustainability.
Through this format, IFEMA MADRID reaffirms its commitment to establishing Spain as one of the most dynamic European hubs for electrification, decarbonisation and the transformation of the building stock. Held from 18 to 20 November, the simultaneous staging of the three fairs generated an ecosystem that covers the entire energy together with air conditioning, refrigeration, efficiency, digitalisation and installations. This fostered synergies between manufacturers, installers, distributors, engineering firms, architects, specifiers and administrations, creating a unique meeting place for business and technology transfer.
The International Week of Electrification and Decarbonisation brought together more than 800 exhibitors and 57,000 professional visitors, with 10% international participation from 76 countries. Attendance was led by Europe (61%, with strong representation from Portugal, Italy, Germany and France), America (18%) and Africa (6%, especially from the Maghreb), consolidating these fairs as key pillars for strengthening the energy cycle. Within this framework, GENERA, organised with the support of the Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving (IDAE) of the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, reaffirmed its leadership in renewables, energy transition and storage solutions. The event highlighted the progress of digitalisation and system hybridisation, underlining the importance of accelerating energy rehabilitation. Finally, MATELEC established itself as a key event for the entire electrification, automation, materials and efficiency sector in buildings and industrial environments. Its offering focused on digitalisation and energy management, reinforcing its value as a platform for promoting a more efficient and connected electricity model. The headline sponsor for this project was Simon, which presented CLUB by Simon, a space designed for the professional installer.
The technical conferences at C&R, MATELEC and GENERA offered a comprehensive view of the energy future, addressing air conditioning, air quality, electrification, automation and renewable energies. They discussed how AI, digitalisation and new regulations are transforming building operations and technical installations, as well as the challenges to decarbonise the building stock. Discussions highlighted that the energy transition requires an integrated approach, combining renewables, efficiency, smart systems and retrofitting to improve building performance, health and resilience.
Regarding the International Week of Electrification and Decarbonisation, a specialised agenda was developed that focused on the key strategic contents for green reindustrialisation and the transformation of the productive fabric, in addition to demand flexibility and electrification. This programme was structured around the Global Forum, which reinforced the common vision of this project with institutional and sectoral debates promoted by entities such as IDAE.
In addition, the programme of activities included outstanding spaces such as the Genera Solar Forum (UNEF), where self-consumption, storage and photovoltaic innovation were addressed; the Installer’s World (FENIE), which stood out for its training workshops and the 18th Young Installers Competition; the CAE (Energy Savings Certificates) Forum (ANESE and A3E) where energy efficiency and savings certification were analysed; the KNX Forum, where the best experiences in automation and home automation were presented; and the Forums at the North Convention Centre, organised by various associations such as COGEN, AEH2, AEEólica and ASIT, among others. These provided a complete overview of all the areas that drive electrification, digitalisation and efficiency.
The content of the programme focused on reindustrialisation and green electrification, renewables, self-consumption, storage and energy communities, as well as electrical installation, materials, CAEs and automation, highlighting the role of infrastructures in decarbonisation.
In addition, IFEMA MADRID was the setting for the recognition of excellence, from emerging talent to industry veterans.
The simultaneous holding of C&R, GENERA and MATELEC successfully convened energy production, intelligent management, efficiency, air conditioning, building digitalisation and installations in a single space. This vision makes it easier for industry to approach the energy transition as a systemic rather than a segmented process, with each link directly influencing sustainability and competitiveness goals.
