STAR Project
STAR Project: a global benchmark in smart grids investments
Electrical network Smart Grids Operating plants
As a result of the STAR Project (Remote Network Management and Automation System), with an investment of €2 billion, more than 11.4 million intelligent meters have been installed and provide remote management and automation capabilities to more than 90,000 transformation centres.
STAR smart infrastructure project
The Iberdrola group, through its subsidiary in Spain, has completed the process of digitising its distribution network in the country with the installation of more than 10.8 million digital meters and their supporting infrastructure, as well as the adaptation of around 90,000 transformation centres, to which remote management, supervision and automation capabilities have been added. This digitisation process has meant an investment of €2 billion. Following the completion of the STAR project, the installation of smart meters has continued, with a total of more than 11.4 million meters having been installed.
This transformation to an intelligent infrastructure in the networks means we are moving forward in our strategy of energy transition. We are contributing to the decarbonisation of the economy, improving the efficiency of the network, optimising demand management and promoting the integration of more renewable energies and electric mobility.
"STAR project has meant that quality of supply is three times higher than in 2001"
Ignacio Galán, executive chairman of the Iberdrola Group
This means we are also responding to new trends in relations with our customers, who are demanding more personalised products and services and a more active management regarding how energy is consumed.
Today, apart from being pioneer in the deployment of smart grids and a world leader in excellence and technological innovation, we are an international benchmark in this field.
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Iberdrola, a world leader in smart grids
Smart grids are essential for our renewable energy to reach consumers safely and efficiently in any country in the world. At Iberdrola, we operate one of the most important distribution systems in the world and we continue to work on its modernisation, digitalisation and automation.
For this reason, in our Strategic Plan, we are focusing on smart grids in addition to renewable energies. To sum up, the company plans to invest €21.5bn in grids in the United States, the United Kingdom, Brazil and Spain, which represents 60% of net investment.
Green light for the electricity superhighway
Ofgem, the UK regulatory authority, has given the green light for the Eastern Green Link 1 project in November 2024. This news comes at a time when SP Energy Networks' Branxton substation has been given the go-ahead.
This substation will connect both the Eastern Green Link 1 project and a proposed offshore wind farm in the area. Work at Branxton, East Lothian, will begin in 2025.
Eastern Green Link 1 is part of a multi-million pound investment in the UK's transmission infrastructure, providing routes for new green electricity from offshore wind farms to travel across the UK to connect to homes and businesses. Without this investment, there will be no way to transport the significant amount of clean electricity that the UK hopes to build in the North Sea to electricity users.
Contracts worth around £1.8 B have been awarded to carry out the project, including £750 M with Prysmian Group to supply the UK's first 525 kV HVDC power transmission cable.
The contracts are expected to give a significant economic boost to the UK during construction, with major works and components to be supplied by UK-based industries.
SP Energy Networks and National Grid Electricity Transmission already own and operate the Western Link, the world's largest capacity and one of the longest submarine cables, connecting Hunterston in Scotland to Connah's Quay in Wales. Operational since 2017, the link created more than 450 jobs during planning and development and has transmitted more than 30,000 GWh of electricity during its first five years of operation, enough to power every home in Wales during that same period.