News
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19/02/2024Iberdrola and Exiom will inaugurate Spain's first large solar panel factory in spring Iberdrola España and the Asturian business group Exiom continue their steps towards the definitive opening of the photovoltaic module factory in Asturias. The first large solar panel factory in Spain is scheduled to start up next spring. Among the most significant recent developments, those standing out are the arrival, assembly and installation of specialised equipment for its manufacture. This is complex, heavy, high-volume machinery, prepared inside the factory in several batches of equipment. The project responds to the effort undertaken by Iberdrola and Exiom to attract part of the value chain linked to renewable energies to our country. Specifically, solar energy. The aim is to make Spain a spearhead for leading this emerging sector in Europe. The opening of this new factory in Europe responds to the interest of both companies in achieving a competitive manufacturing at EU level, focused in a first phase on solar panels with the possibility of extending the collaboration to other components of the photovoltaic value chain. Iberdrola España's commitment to a sustainable energy model is part of its PERSEO program to promote the development of start-ups and innovative industrial companies working in new areas of electrification and in sectors that are difficult to decarbonise. Since its creation in 2008, PERSEO has invested €175M in businesses that develop innovative technologies, focusing on those that will improve the sustainability of the energy sector through further electrification and decarbonisation of the economy. You can read the full news in the Iberdrola España Press Room. READ MORE
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16/02/2024Iberdrola optimizes hydroelectric pumping in Galicia, and hybridizes a battery with pumping at the Santiago Sil - Xares power plant Iberdrola already has all the permits and previous authorizations for the improvement and optimization of the Santiago Sil - Xares pumped storage power plant. The project consists of the installation of a static starter and a 5 MWh battery that will make the coupling to the grid of the existing reversible pumping groups more flexible. This is an innovative project in Spain, being the first of its kind to be authorized. The project will allow a faster and more flexible coupling to the grid of the current hydroelectric pumping between the rivers Sil and Xares , with a difference in level of 230 m, 50 MW of power and a hydroelectric storage capacity of almost 3 GWh (3,000 MWh). Iberdrola is thus consolidating the investment effort it is making both to optimize its current facilities with pumped storage technology, which is the national leader with more than 3,000 MW of power (more than 50% of the total in Spain), as well as to promote new storage facilities (in Galicia, Conso II, 1,800 MW). The Sil - Xares hydroelectric power plant, with an average production of 100 GWh/year, is located in the municipality of Vilamartín de Valdeorras and came into operation in 1969. It has four hydroelectric groups: two of them of flowing typology and called Santiago Sil, with a power of 14 MW and a flow of 160 m3/s, and other two of Francis Reversible type, with accumulation capacity by pumping (Santiago Xares) of 50 MW of power and a flow of 18 m3/s. In the current context, pumped storage facilities (Gigabatteries) are essential to advance in the decarbonization of the Electricity System, allowing the integration of non-manageable renewable energies, the increase of investment and their development, by avoiding disconnections at times of low demand. Iberdrola is currently the only company with hydroelectric pumping technology in Galicia, with more than 350 MW installed in this type of facilities in the province of Ourense. The latest example of Iberdrola's commitment to this technology is its Tâmega Hydroelectric Complex, one of the largest energy initiatives in history, with a total investment of more than 1.5 billion euros, an installed capacity of 1,158 MW and an energy reserve of 40 million kWh. READ MORE
![Iberdrola optimizes hydroelectric pumping in Galicia, and hybridizes a battery with pumping at the Santiago Sil - Xares power plant [PDF]](/documents/20125/3933001/hibridacion-sil-726x484.jpg)
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12/02/2024Iberdrola will supply clean energy to the Italian Tosano supermarkets Iberdrola continues its commitment to the decarbonisation of the planet. The company will supply clean energy on a long-term basis through a PPA (long-term renewable energy contract) to Tosano supermarkets, which currently has over 19 hypermarkets and nearly 4,000 employees. The PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) provides for the supply of energy for 10 years through Iberdrola's photovoltaic plants. The agreement will allow Iberdrola to supply Tosano with part of the production of its own photovoltaic system for an estimated annual consumption of 20 GWh. This will contribute to increase the company's energy security, energy independence and accelerate its path towards decarbonisation. A clear choice that projects Tosano into the future, promoting decarbonisation and sustainability goals throughout the Northeast – areas in which it is present with its shops – thanks to a reduction of CO2 emissions of about 6,000 tonnes per year. Thanks to the agreement signed, Tosano supermarkets will be powered by green energy from Verona to Vicenza, from Brescia to Venice and from Udine to Ferrara. With the inauguration of its second operational plant and the completion of 4 plants already authorised and under construction, Iberdrola will have an operational capacity of 400 MW in Italy by 2025. An agreement based on common values and objectives Andrea Tosano, President of Supermercati Tosano, said: "Supermercati Tosano's medium-term Energy Plan foresees to continue with conviction on the path of energy production from renewable sources, increasing the installed capacity, in order to constantly increase the share of self-production in the total consumption of clean energy". "We are pleased to see that companies are starting to understand the importance of sourcing from renewable sources. An important choice not only for environmental sustainability, but also for the company itself," commented Lorenzo Costantini, Country Manager of Iberdrola Clienti Italia. "Off-site PPA agreements, such as the one recently signed with Tosano, allow us to stabilise the price of energy in the long term and from renewable sources, eliminating the volatility inherent in the use of fossil fuels linked to energy supply". Leading the PPP market Iberdrola has a wealth of experience in the field of PPAs, and manages long-term power purchase agreements in markets, from onshore wind and photovoltaic projects, such as Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States, Mexico and Australia. Over a decade ago, the group began to develop this type of agreement and today Iberdrola is the leader in the PPA ranking in Europe, according to the consultancy firm Pexapark. Iberdrola has 90% of its energy sold and plans to generate it between 2023 and 2025, mainly through PPAs; which provides the company with visibility and sustainable energy in the long term. READ MORE
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12/02/2024Avangrid leads a pilot project for the application of AI in substation checks Iberdrola, through its American subsidiary Avangrid , has launched a pioneering project to test the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in inspection work at its substations, using the mobile robot SPOT, modelled on a dog. This initiative, developed in collaboration with Levatas and Boston Dynamics, aims to speed up visual and thermal inspection tasks at substations. You can read the full story on the Avangrid Press Room page. READ MORE
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11/02/2024Iberdrola supports women and their development in science careers The energy sector has historically been a male-dominated field across all professional profiles and skill levels. As a consequence, and despite representing 48% of the global workforce, the presence of women in this sector, according to the International Energy Agency, is 22%, reaching 32% in renewable businesses. Iberdrola, aware of this reality and that the presence of women in the energy industry is essential, develops and leads different initiatives that facilitate their integration into STEM positions (careers related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics) in the countries in which it operates. Specifically, the company develops initiatives in Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States, Mexico, Brazil and Australia, among other countries, establishing strategic alliances, supporting and giving visibility to other institutions committed to the inclusion of women. The company aspires to generate an impact that goes beyond its organisation and that is sustainable over time, which is why, for years, it has been working on the implementation of practices, both internal and external, that seek to support women at key moments in their careers. Firstly, by awakening interest in STEM areas among girls and young women and then by supporting them in their training and integration into the labour market, as well as by accelerating the development of their female employees and giving visibility to leading professionals, which contribute to combating gender biases. International momentum Among the programmes carried out by the company are those designed to promote the development and give visibility to leading women. With the aim of creating and maintaining a diverse workforce, in alliance with local institutions where it is present, it promotes the study of STEM careers, especially for women, by offering scholarships and educational incentives, creating opportunities for access to the labour market. In Spain, in addition to the different training projects for girls and young women, agreements with different entities, such as Innobasque (the Innovation Agency of the Basque Country) or alliances such as the one with the Ministry of Education, the Universidad Pontificia Comillas or the EMT, among others; this year, the Technovation Girls initiative has been added to the list. This is an innovation and entrepreneurship programme in which girls and teenagers work together with volunteer mentors to solve problems in their environment through the use of technology. In the United States, the Avangrid Foundation, in collaboration with the Girls Inc. organisation, promotes the Eureka! programme, aimed at promoting intensive training and internships in companies related to STEM careers for young women from minority groups or in the first university students of their families for five years. Iberdrola in the United States also supports the Society of Women Engineers (SWE). In addition, in 2021, the company joined Paradigm for Parity, a coalition of organisations dedicated to addressing racial and gender gaps in business and achieving full gender parity by 2030. In the United Kingdom, Iberdrola, through its subsidiary ScottishPower, is a member of POWERful Women, an initiative to advance gender diversity within the energy sector. In addition, the company also has a network of female employees called SP Connected Women, which provides a platform for its members to meet on a regular basis and share their experiences and ideas both internally and at external events. In Mexico, Iberdrola has been holding the Women with Energy forum since 2018, a space for dialogue and training on diversity, equity and inclusion to promote initiatives to close the gender gap. In addition, in 2023, the company held its fourth call for its STEM scholarships, a programme carried out since 2019 in alliance with local institutions that seeks to promote the study of engineering among Oaxacan youth. In Brazil, through Neoenergia, the company committed in 2023 to the United Nations (UN) Global Compact to increase by more than 30% the number of women and black people in leadership positions by 2025 in all its business units in the country. In addition, it also highlights the School of Electricians for Women, which aims to promote the insertion of women in positions in the electricity sector that are predominantly occupied by men. Since its launch in 2017, it has trained 850 women, of whom nearly 600 have been hired. In Australia, Iberdrola supported the Women in Energy Network (WIEN) sector association in 2022, which seeks to promote the advancement of women in the energy industry through networking, knowledge sharing and the generation of leadership opportunities. READ MORE
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09/02/2024Iberdrola exceeds 42,000 MW renewables and consolidates its position as one of the cleanest companies in the world Iberdrola continues to make progress in its fight for decarbonisation , as the only way to have a more sustainable planet. For this reason, the company has closed 2023 with a renewable capacity that exceeds 42,000 MW – precisely 42,175 MW – after adding some 3,250 new MW in the last 12 months, as reported by the company to the National Securities Market Commission (CNMV). Thus, it will continue to promote self-sufficiency, electrification and, consequently, greater energy and economic efficiency for all consumers. Thanks to its renewable production, which is close to 80 billion kWh – 6.3% more than the previous year – the company saves nearly 14 million tonnes of CO2 from being released into the atmosphere. That is the emissions of 1 million cars driving 100,000 km each. Renewable production increased by 10%, excluding Brazil, which has been affected by the hydroelectric situation. In Spain, renewable production grew by 24% in the year. Hydroelectric reserves increased by 13% to 6,298 GWh. Given the company's commitment to renewable energies, the Group generates 100% emission-free energy in countries such as the United Kingdom, Brazil, France, Italy, Germany, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Romania and Bulgaria. Emission-free production reaches 87% in Spain. Leading the way in clean energy Iberdrola has strengthened its global leadership in wind energy after reaching 22,676 MW installed at the end of the year, 6% more than in 2022. The company has 20,883 MW in onshore wind power, after adding 655 new MW. Thanks to an investment of close to €6 billion, Iberdrola has connected to the grid a new offshore wind farm in France (Saint-Brieuc) – the first large-scale wind farm in Brittany. This year, the company will start up another off the coast of Massachusetts (Vineyard Wind), which will become the first offshore wind farm in the United States. Growth in offshore wind is offsetting the lower onshore wind production in countries such as the UK, where, after growing by 13% in the year, offshore wind now accounts for 50% of total production. Iberdrola Energía Internacional's focus on offshore wind power in Germany and France led to a 28% increase in production in the quarter, accounting for 10% of the Group's total renewable production in the period. In addition, the company continues to increase its hydroelectric storage capacity: 160 MW have been added, corresponding to the last dam of the Alto Támega complex (Portugal), which constitutes the company's largest gigabattery. Thanks to this, Iberdrola now has 100 million kWh of storage – equivalent to supplying 24 million homes for around 12 hours – enabling an increasing flow of clean energy, promoting greater electrification and continuing to provide the best service to its customers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Iberdrola has continued to offer a quality service to the 100 million people it supplies with energy around the world. READ MORE
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07/02/2024Iberdrola leads self-consumption in Spain with close to 200,000 customers connected to its grid Iberdrola, through its distributor in Spain, i-DE, exceed 197,000 self-consumption contracts connected to its grid in 2023, after facilitating the deployment of nearly 105,000 installations; 43,000 more than in 2022. In total, the new connections contribute 1,690 megawatts (MW) of 'green generation' to the system. The new contribution is integrated into the low and medium voltage grids – avoiding the emission of more than 296 tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere. The company, which proactively supports and facilitates access to self-consumption as a source of clean energy generation, has connected an average of 8,750 installations per month – nearly 300 per day. All the autonomous communities have grown at very high rates, reaching an average of 114%, and standing at over 80%. The Madrid and Valencia regions stand out, with 60% of the total between them. Electricity grids are essential to enable the energy transition, as they are the link between the generation of renewable energy and the consumer – whether an individual or a company. Traditionally, the electricity grid was static and unidirectional; whereas, with new consumption habits, such as self-consumption, it is necessary for the grid to be bidirectional, with communications between all agents. You can read the full news in the Iberdrola España Press Room. READ MORE
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06/02/2024Iberdrola’s Subsidiary Avangrid Ranks First Among Utilities on 2024 JUST 100 in the U.S. Avangrid, a leading sustainable energy company in the U.S. and member of the Iberdrola Group, today was recognized for the fourth consecutive year on the annual JUST 100—a list of America’s best corporate citizens published by JUST Capital and its media partner CNBC. This year Avangrid earned the top rank among utilities, up from second in 2023, and improved its overall ranking to 12, up from 45 in 2023, for its commitment to serving its workers, customers, communities, the environment, and shareholders. To receive the number one ranking in the utility industry, Avangrid earned leading scores on key issues, such as human rights, community development, ethical leadership, customer treatment, transparent communication, beneficial products, climate change, workforce advancement, and sustainable materials. CHAIRMAN QUOTE The JUST 100 Rankings are the only measure of how the nation’s largest corporations are performing on the business issues that matter most to Americans. The issues – which include paying a fair, living wage, creating jobs in the U.S., supporting workforce retention and training, providing benefits and work-life balance, protecting customer privacy, minimizing pollution, and more – are defined annually by an extensive nationwide polling process done on a fully representative basis. The top 100 companies – the JUST 100 – are determined by scoring performance across the full range of criteria and comparing companies head-to-head. JUST Capital is an independent nonprofit that demonstrates how just business – defined by the priorities of the public – is better business. JUST Rankings reveal which companies are doing the best job of creating value for their stakeholders, and consistently show that the companies that score best also outperform their peers financially. Compared to their Russell 1000 peers, companies in the JUST 100 on average: * Pay 11.8 percentage points more of their workers a family sustaining living wage (78.3%). * Provide 7.2 more hours of career development training per employee. * Offer 2 more weeks of paid parental leave for both primary caregivers and secondary caregivers. * Intake 99% less water per revenue dollar. * Emitted 42% less metric tons of CO2 per revenue dollar. * Used 29.6 percentage points more renewable energy as a proportion of their total energy use. * Have a 4% higher profit margin, 2.9% higher return on equity, and 1.2% higher dividend yield. “American capitalism has to work for more Americans. For this to happen, the private sector, and especially big corporations, must take the lead in creating value for all their stakeholders,” said JUST Capital CEO Martin Whittaker. “That’s exactly what the JUST 100 are doing. They show that just business is better business.” For the annual Rankings, JUST Capital collects and analyzes corporate data to evaluate the 1,000 largest public U.S. companies across 20 Issues identified through comprehensive, ongoing public opinion research on Americans’ attitudes toward responsible corporate behavior. JUST Capital has engaged more than 170,000 participants, on a fully representative basis, since 2015. CNBC will delve into the data, highlighting company-specific results and showcasing key stakeholder performance stories about this year’s JUST 100 leaders across the network’s broadcast and digital platforms at cnbc.com/just100 . An exploration of the JUST 100 companies can be found at justcapital.com/rankings . READ MORE
