JAVIER CAVADA
THE ENERGY INTERVIEW
Can gas and renewables genuinely work together, or are they locked in competition for the grid’ s future? Javier Cavada, President and CEO of Mitsubishi Power EMEA, argues firmly for the former.
In this Q & A with Energy Digital, Javier explains why he sees natural gas as an enabler of renewables rather than a rival, and how hydrogen-ready turbines could offer a practical route to nearzero-carbon thermal power. Drawing on 25 years in the energy sector, he also reflects on what engineering excellence really demands of the industry, and why he believes reliability and decarbonisation need not pull in opposite directions.
Q. CAN YOU INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND TELL US ABOUT YOUR CAREER?
» My name is Javier Cavada and I am President and CEO for EMEA at Mitsubishi Power, the power solutions brand of Mitsubishi Heavy Industry( MHI).
I am also President of the trade body EU Turbines. I have been working in the global energy sector for 25 years, leading companies through all phases of corporate development and growth.
Before joining Mitsubishi Power in 2022, I was President and CEO of Highview Power, a developer and leader in long-duration energy storage. Prior to that, I spent 17 years with Wärtsilä Corporation, where I served as President of the Energy Division and a member of the Executive Board. A mechanical engineer by training, with a doctorate in engineering and studies in psychology,
JAVIER CAVADA
TITLE: PRESIDENT & CEO FOR EMEA
COMPANY: MITSUBISHI POWER INDUSTRY: ENERGY
Javier has had a storied career in the energy sector, including a 17-year stint at Wärtsilä that saw him travel the world. Today, he heads up Mitsubishi Power’ s operations across EMEA.
I began my professional career at Robert Bosch, one of the world’ s leading automotive suppliers. When an opportunity to lead Wärtsilä’ s Power business came along, it drew me into the energy sector and I never looked back.
Q. FOR READERS MORE FAMILIAR WITH MITSUBISHI’ S AUTOMOBILES OR ELECTRONICS, HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE WORK MITSUBISHI POWER DOES?
» We are one of the world’ s leading power generation technology and engineering companies. We design, manufacture and service advanced gas turbines. They are recognised for their industry-leading reliability.
Our technology has been validated to operate on a 50 % hydrogen blend in a grid-connected environment, helping to support the transition to lower-carbon power generation.
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