MATELEC 2026: practical guide to electrification and electrical technology

24–26 November 2026
IFEMA MADRID, Madrid, Spain

MATELEC is part of the International Week of Electrification and Decarbonisation, alongside GENERA. IFEMA identifies the event as a trade meeting for the electrical, electronics, lighting and energy sectors. The current edition is scheduled for three days at IFEMA MADRID. The 2026 programme includes a Global Forum and an Innovation Gallery; check the organiser's current schedule for confirmed sessions, exhibitors and access arrangements.

Why MATELEC matters to electrical and energy professionals

Compare solutions across connected sectors

Electrical projects increasingly touch building systems, lighting, industrial equipment, energy management and renewable generation. MATELEC's focus on electrical and electronics products, Industry and Smart Factory applications, and lighting gives installers, engineers and buyers a setting to compare related solutions and ask how they fit their project conditions.

Connect product selection with real requirements

Use discussions with suppliers to clarify specifications, system compatibility, installation conditions, safety documentation, maintenance and support. A product demonstration or catalogue is a starting point; verify performance data, relevant standards and application suitability with qualified technical staff before selection.

Explore the wider energy transition

The 2026 event is integrated with GENERA in an International Week of Electrification and Decarbonisation. IFEMA also describes a Global Forum and Innovation Gallery for strategic discussion and innovative products or projects in renewable energy, energy efficiency and electrification. These give visitors additional routes to investigate how electrical technologies relate to wider energy priorities; consult the current programme for the sessions and projects actually scheduled.

Who should visit MATELEC?

Electrical installers and contractors

Installers can focus on products and systems that match their typical project types, including electrical installations, lighting, controls and associated equipment. Bring installation constraints and requirements, and ask suppliers about compatibility, commissioning, documentation, service and product availability. Compare complete system requirements rather than selecting on a single component specification.

Distributors, wholesalers and channel businesses

Distributors can assess supplier ranges, product positioning and potential customer demand across electrical, electronics and lighting categories. Clarify territory, availability, training, warranty handling, technical support and replenishment terms. Record which products complement the existing portfolio and what evidence is needed before a buying decision.

Engineering and industrial professionals

Engineers, system integrators and industrial professionals can investigate solutions relevant to automation, energy efficiency, factory applications and electrical infrastructure. Prepare an outline of system interfaces, operating conditions and integration needs. Ask suppliers for technical documentation and support requirements that can be reviewed by the responsible engineering teams.

Energy and sustainability professionals

Professionals working on electrification, renewable energy and decarbonisation can use the combined event and its forum to follow technologies and project approaches. Focus on the relevance to your organisation's actual energy systems, procurement criteria and implementation constraints; the presence of a technology at a fair does not establish its suitability or project economics.

What can you find at MATELEC?

Electrical and electronic solutions

• Electrical installation products, components and related systems.
• Electronics and equipment relevant to professional and industrial applications.
• Products and services for the electrical value chain and its distribution channels.

Lighting and connected applications

• Lighting technologies and solutions for professional applications.
• Controls and connected systems relevant to buildings and infrastructure.

Electrification and energy technologies

• Renewable energy and energy-efficiency solutions presented within the International Week.
• Projects related to electrification, energy transition and decarbonisation.
• Industrial and Smart Factory technologies linked to electrical systems.

Use the 2026 exhibitor catalogue and floor map to confirm participating companies and products. Sector headings describe event scope; they do not mean every supplier or technology will be represented.

What makes MATELEC distinctive?

MATELEC joins electrical and electronics solutions with a wider programme on electrification and decarbonisation. The 2026 format brings MATELEC and GENERA together under the International Week, with the Global Forum and Innovation Gallery adding conference and project-discovery opportunities. The organiser describes the Innovation Gallery as a showcase for projects and products in renewable energy, energy efficiency and electrification. This combined framing may help participants consider connections between electrical equipment, industrial applications and energy systems, but the appropriate conversations depend on each visitor's role and project.

Set a useful objective for MATELEC

For installers and contractors

Example objective: identify a shortlist of products that satisfy a defined installation requirement. Record relevant specifications, compatibility questions, commissioning needs and technical documents to verify.

For distributors and buyers

Example objective: compare suppliers on portfolio fit and service support, not product range alone. Ask about availability, training, warranty, delivery and technical escalation.

For engineers and energy professionals

Example objective: investigate one system or energy challenge through evidence-based supplier and forum conversations. Capture performance claims, system interfaces and the analysis needed after the event.

How to prepare before MATELEC

1. Define your project or portfolio need

Identify the application, project stage and technical questions you want to answer. Installers may focus on installation conditions and component compatibility; distributors may prioritise product ranges and supplier support; engineers may need system architecture, performance data and integration details.

2. Review the exhibitor catalogue and programme

Use IFEMA's current exhibitor catalogue, floor map and schedule to identify relevant suppliers and forum sessions. Rank priorities A (must meet), B (useful) and C (explore if time allows). The next-day plan should leave room to revisit a promising conversation with a more detailed technical question.

3. Prepare electrical and energy-specific questions

• Which technical standards and test documents apply to the product?
• What electrical ratings, operating conditions and protection requirements are relevant?
• How does the solution interface with existing equipment, controls or building systems?
• What installation, commissioning and maintenance support is available?
• Which software, connectivity or cybersecurity requirements apply, where relevant?
• What performance data is measured and under what test conditions?
• What training, warranty and service arrangements are included?
• What are the product lead times and replacement-part arrangements?
• For energy technologies, what site conditions or system assumptions affect performance?

4. Plan conversations and internal follow-up

Book meetings with priority companies when available and prepare a concise introduction to your role and requirements. Decide which colleagues will review technical, commercial and compliance information after the event. Do not share confidential drawings or infrastructure details unless your organisation permits it.

How to make the most of the exhibition

Use a consistent comparison note: Supplier → Product or system → Requirement addressed → Evidence to check → Integration or support question → Next action. For an electrical component, capture ratings, installation conditions and compatibility information. For a lighting or energy solution, note the stated performance basis, control interfaces, commissioning assumptions and maintenance needs.

Separate verified specifications from sales claims and questions that remain open. Ask suppliers to identify the correct technical contact for follow-up. Where multiple products appear similar, compare them against the same project criteria, not just headline features or demonstrations.

Beyond the exhibition floor

IFEMA lists a Global Forum and the Innovation Gallery within the 2026 International Week. The forum is intended to provide strategic content for companies and professionals, while the gallery presents innovative products and projects tied to renewable energy, energy efficiency and electrification. Check the official activity schedule for session times, speakers, registration requirements and project details, then choose activities that address your practical questions.

Plan your time at MATELEC

A focused day may suit visitors with a limited supplier list and one principal objective. Additional time can help teams cover more product categories, compare solutions and attend relevant forum sessions. MATELEC runs for three days, but the most useful schedule depends on the final exhibitor map and programme. Plan time to revisit priority suppliers and leave space for follow-up discussions rather than trying to cover every stand.

Before the doors open

Confirm your professional pass, the venue's current access information and your first meetings. Mark priority exhibitors and sessions using the current event map and schedule.

During the day

Keep technical and commercial notes separate. Take time between supplier discussions to compare answers, and return to a priority stand if a question requires clarification or another colleague's input.

At the end of each day

Review which claims need documentation, assign owners for follow-up and adjust the next day's priorities. This prevents collecting product information without an identified decision or next step.

Networking at MATELEC

Introduce yourself by role and explain the project, customer group or technical issue you represent. Installers can describe the type of installation and compatibility question; distributors can specify their channel and support needs; engineers can outline system interfaces without disclosing sensitive details. Ask the other party what information would make a follow-up useful, agree on the next step and note who is responsible. A conversation may open a route for evaluation, but it does not guarantee a commercial result.

Getting to IFEMA MADRID

MATELEC takes place at IFEMA MADRID, Avenida del Partenón, 5, Madrid. The official exhibitor guide lists the 2026 event hours as 09:30–18:30. Check the venue's current transport, entrance and parking information, and verify any event-specific arrangements before travelling. The venue is in Madrid's Barajas district, within the municipality of Madrid.

How many days should you attend?

One day can be enough for a tightly defined sourcing or technical objective. Two days may allow a mix of supplier meetings and relevant sessions. All three days could suit teams covering multiple product groups or combining MATELEC and GENERA interests. Choose based on the confirmed exhibitor map, forum schedule and the number of decisions you need to support.

After MATELEC: verify before specifying

Classify contacts as A (active project or purchasing need), B (potential alternative) and C (market information). For priority suppliers, request datasheets, standards evidence, performance test conditions, installation details, warranty, service arrangements and written commercial terms. Engineering and procurement teams should assess compatibility and lifecycle requirements before specifying or purchasing. For forum or gallery ideas, record what evidence or project details would be needed to assess their relevance to your organisation.

Who should consider exhibiting at MATELEC?

MATELEC is relevant to companies serving the electrical, electronics and lighting sectors, including suppliers whose products support electrification, industry, smart factory applications, energy efficiency and infrastructure. The combined 2026 International Week also brings renewable energy and decarbonisation themes into the setting. Potential exhibitors should define their target customer roles, identify the technical evidence that demonstrates product value and prepare clear information on integration, availability and support. Confirm stand conditions and deadlines with IFEMA.

MATELEC visitor checklist

Before

• ☐ Define the technical or purchasing decision you want to support.
• ☐ Review the current exhibitor catalogue, floor map and forum schedule.
• ☐ Prepare questions on ratings, standards, interfaces, maintenance and service.
• ☐ Confirm your pass and event-specific access information.

During

• ☐ Record supplier, product, requirement, evidence to check and next action.
• ☐ Compare solutions against consistent project criteria.
• ☐ Attend forum or gallery activities that address a specific work question.
• ☐ Keep confidential project details protected.

After

• ☐ Request technical documentation and written commercial details.
• ☐ Review compatibility, safety and lifecycle needs with the right colleagues.
• ☐ Assign owners and dates for supplier follow-up.

Is MATELEC worth visiting?

MATELEC is most useful for professionals involved in electrical installations, distribution, engineering, industrial systems, lighting or energy-related projects. Its 2026 integration with GENERA, Global Forum and Innovation Gallery creates a broader context for exploring electrification and decarbonisation, while the exhibitor catalogue supports targeted product discovery. A visit is more valuable when you arrive with a defined need and follow up by checking technical evidence, system fit and service terms.

MATELEC 2026 at a glance

Plan your MATELEC visit

Which electrical or energy decision should your visit help clarify, and what evidence will you need to make it? Specify. Compare. Validate. Follow up.

Electrification opportunities in Spain

Market context

Red Eléctrica reported that renewable generation in Spain reached 148,999 GWh in 2024, accounting for 56.8% of electricity generation that year. This documented energy-system context is relevant to MATELEC's electrification and energy-efficiency themes, but it does not by itself establish demand for a particular product or project.

Opportunities for exhibitors

• Companies supplying electrical equipment, controls, lighting or energy systems may explore conversations with installers, distributors, industrial users and engineering professionals seeking solutions for changing power systems.
• Exhibitors can present relevant capabilities and learn what technical documentation, integration and service conditions potential customers require, without assuming that the event provides access to a specific buyer or project.

Opportunities for visitors

• Visitors could compare equipment and approaches relevant to electrification, renewable integration and energy efficiency, then assess which options fit their own technical and procurement criteria.
• Engineers and energy professionals may use the combined programme to investigate how new products or projects address system interfaces and implementation questions.

Spain's 2024 renewable-generation share provides a specific national context for electrical and energy discussions. Whether it is relevant to an individual business depends on its customers, applications, technical requirements and regulatory obligations.

Discover Madrid

Madrid combines major cultural collections, historic buildings and urban parks. IFEMA MADRID is located in the city's Barajas district, while the attractions below are in other parts of Madrid and require separate planning around the exhibition schedule.

Prado Museum

The Prado Museum on the Paseo del Arte houses works from Spanish, Italian and Flemish schools. Madrid's official tourism guide notes the scale of its collection, so visitors may want to choose particular galleries or works in advance.

Royal Palace of Madrid

The Royal Palace provides a view of Spain's royal history and is a prominent heritage site in the historic centre. Check current visitor arrangements before fitting a visit around the fair.

El Retiro Park

El Retiro is a major urban park and part of Madrid's UNESCO-listed Landscape of Light. Its gardens and lake offer an outdoor contrast to time spent in exhibition halls.

Visitors can reserve a cultural visit before or after business commitments, choosing an option suited to their schedule. Confirm current access information directly with each attraction.