Press releases
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13/02/2023We sign €150 million green loan with EIB to build renewable energy plants in Italy The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Iberdrola have signed a new agreement to accelerate Italy's energy transition by developing new renewable energy plants. The EU Bank has granted a €150 million green loan for the construction of a portfolio of wind and photovoltaic (PV) projects with a total capacity of around 400 megawatts (MW). These new facilities will produce green and competitive energy, equivalent to the average consumption of up to 260,000 households. The projects will involve total investment of more than €300 million. The EIB will finance small and medium-sized solar PV and wind power plants as well as their grid connection infrastructure. These projects are mainly located in areas of southern Italy, regions receiving cohesion funds from the European Union. The financing will also include ancillary infrastructure such as access roads, substations and interconnections. These investments will not only increase clean energy generation, but also improve security of supply. The investments to be undertaken under this agreement will boost economic growth and employment in the regions. Overall, the new infrastructure will support approximately 600 temporary jobs every year during the construction phase. EIB Vice-President Gelsomina Vigliotti said: "Securing financing to ensure a resilient and sustainable energy supply is a priority for the EU Climate Bank. We are pleased to collaborate with Iberdrola in the development of its first renewable plants in Italy, and our commitment to achieving climate targets". Iberdrola Executive Chairman, Ignacio Galán said: "This new green loan signed with the EIB enables us to increase our contribution to a Europe capable of meeting its climate targets and increasing its energy independence. The European Investment Bank's leadership is essential to achieve it.” The company already has a project pipeline of almost 3,000 MW in Italy, including a 23 MW PV plant already in operation and four other licensed, ready-to-build projects with 116 MW joint capacity. EIB and energy security Over the past decade the European Investment Bank Group has channelled almost €100 billion into the EU's energy sector. This much-needed investment is now helping Europe overcome the crisis caused by the sudden cut in Russian gas supplies. Over the first nine months of 2022 alone, financial support signed by the EIB totalled more than €8.3bn for energy efficiency, renewables, power and storage projects within the EU, helping to strengthen the resilience of the European economy. In October 2022, the EIB's Board of Directors decided to raise the Group's clean energy financing volumes to record levels in support of the REPowerEU objective, which aims to end Europe's dependence on Russian fossil fuel imports. A further €30 bn will be invested over the next five years, adding to the EIB's already strong support for the energy sector in the EU. The specific REPowerEU package is estimated to mobilise an additional €115 bn in additional investment by 2027, making a substantial contribution to Europe's energy independence and to the EIB Group's goal of mobilising €1 trillion in climate finance over the decade. You can find out more about the EIB's support for the energy sector here and about the latest energy projects it has financed here . Iberdrola, expanding its financing channels Iberdrola continues to make progress with its sustainability strategy, which is based on electrifying the economy, combating climate change and creating wealth and jobs in the communities where it operates. With this financing, the electricity company continues to consolidate its leadership in sustainable financing. At the end of September, Iberdrola's net debt amounted to €44.29 billion, and the world's current green bond operation with more than €16 billion; around the same amount in ESG credit lines; commercial paper for €5 billion, and around €3 billion in loans and structured financing. In all cases, of a sustainable nature. The projects to which the resources obtained from these types of placements are allocated are aligned with the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations, on which Iberdrola focuses its efforts: number 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy - and number 13 - Climate Action. READ MORE
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10/02/2023We have consolidated our installed capacity as one of the cleanest in the world with almost 40,000 MW of 'green' power Iberdrola continues to make progress in its commitment to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and accelerate the deployment of renewable energy around the world. The company has closed 2022 with almost 40,000 MW green - specifically 39,963 MW - which represents an increase of 5.1% over the same period last year, as reported today to the Spanish National Securities Market Commission (CNMV). As a result, it has consolidated its position as one of the electricity utilities with the cleanest installed capacity in the world, with 80% emission-free capacity. By technology, the leading energy is onshore wind, which exceeds 20,000 MW for the first time in its history after installing 750 MW in 2022. Among last year's projects, the Oitis onshore wind farm in Brazil stands out. This project, comprising 12 farms, will have a total installed capacity of 566.5 MW, making it the company's largest onshore wind project in Latin America and the second largest in the world. It has also begun commercial operation of its first solar farm complex in Brazil, Luzia, which has a capacity of 149 megawatts. Also noteworthy is the development of photovoltaic energy, which now totals 4,264 MW, following the installation of 1,204 MW. This strong momentum is due mainly to the incorporation of the 553 MW Francisco Pizarro photovoltaic plant in Cáceres (Extremadura), which supplies clean energy to 334,400 homes per year. On an international scale, it is worth highlighting the development of the 193 MW Lund Hill photovoltaic plant, the largest solar project in the state of Washington, and the 200 MW Golden Hills wind farm in Sherman County, Oregon. Of the company's entire renewable portfolio, Spain accounts for almost 50%, with almost 19,800 MW of 'green' installed capacity, helping to position the country as one of the most important powers in Europe. For its part, the United States has 8,702 green MW, mostly wind, Brazil has 4,568 MW and the United Kingdom has more than 3,000 MW. The remaining countries account for 3,890 MW of green power. More clean energy production Renewable energy production stood at 74,525 GWh in 2022, thanks to new installed capacity and the positive performance of onshore wind power, which compensated for the shortage of rainfall. In fact, onshore wind production increased by 9.3% to 45,195 GWh. Also noteworthy is the photovoltaic contribution, which will reach almost 4,000 GWh in 2022, thanks to the commissioning of new plants. Iberdrola's renewable production in the period has contributed to avoiding the consumption of some 13,000 million cubic metres of natural gas, the amount that would have been needed to generate that electricity through this fossil energy source. Thanks to last year's renewable deployment, Iberdrola continues with its commitment to reduce its polluting emissions. By the end of 2022, 80% of the company's installed capacity will be emission-free. Commitment to energy autonomy As part of its commitment to continue contributing to self-sufficiency and decarbonisation in the countries where it operates, the company announced at its Capital Markets Day that it will reach 52,000 MW of renewable energy by 2025. To this end, it will install 12,100 MW of new green power by 2025 - 3,100 MW of onshore wind, 6,300 MW of photovoltaic, 1,800 MW offshore, 700 MW of batteries and 200 MW of hydro. The group has already secured 50% of the new capacity and around 95% of the production will be contracted by 2025. By 2030, the outlook presented at Capital Markets Day anticipates a 'green' generation capacity of 80,000 MW, with a total portfolio of 100,000 MW. To achieve these figures, the company has committed to invest 17,000 million euros between 2023-2025, in high quality projects with the best risk/return ratio. Of this amount, 46% will be focused on offshore wind in France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States. In the remaining technologies, onshore wind will account for 25% of investment, PV 24%, hydro 2% and batteries 3%. READ MORE
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10/02/2023We win our first floating solar project in Alsace Iberdrola, the world's largest producer of renewable energy, announced today that it has been awarded its first floating solar power plant in France, with a total capacity of 25 megawatts peak (MWp), in response to a call for tenders issued in June 2022 by the municipality of Kurtzenhouse in Alsace. Iberdrola is now specialising in the development of floating solar projects on active industrial sites as part of its commitment to establishing a long-term presence in France. "We are very proud to contribute to the development of green energy production solutions alongside the municipality of Kurtzenhouse. This project strengthens Iberdrola France's position in the Grand Est region where the company is already developing a solar photovoltaic (PV) plant for Solvay to supply its Tavaux plant (Jura) with green electricity. In parallel, Iberdrola is working on a 3 MW agrivoltaic solution in a Moselle farm to optimise milk production" said Thierry Vergnaud, Iberdrola France Director of the onshore division (onshore wind and photovoltaic). "The implementation of this floating solar PV plant represents a real opportunity for our region. This green energy project contributes to the region’s energy self-sufficiency while fighting against global warming in a context marked by soaring electricity prices", emphasised Marc Moser, Mayor of Kurtzenhouse. A floating solar power plant on an active gravel pit The floating solar power plant will be developed, built and operated by Iberdrola on the basin of the Bischwiller gravel pit, part of which is owned by the municipality of Kurtzenhouse. This gravel pit is currently operated by the company Eqiom Granulats, which extracts and markets sand and gravel of alluvial origin. During the construction and operation phase of the plant, Iberdrola will consider the presence of these activities and ensure their continued operation. The floating solar power plant will occupy an area of approximately 13.5 hectares of the 28 hectares available on the site. By the end of 2026, 10,000 Alsatian households will be supplied with green electricity Since January 2023, Iberdrola has launched environmental and technical studies to determine and choose the most suitable technological solution for the project and the site. These studies will be completed in early 2024. The application for a building permit is expected to be submitted in spring 2024 and commissioning in late summer 2026. The operating period is 30 years. The plant will have an installed production capacity of 25 MWp. It will be able to produce approximately 27 GWh of green electricity per year. The electricity will be injected into the distribution network to be consumed locally by nearly 10,000 Alsatian households (FEE data on the average consumption of a French household (excluding heating) of 2,700 kWh / year). At the end of the plant's operation life, Iberdrola will be responsible for 100% of the dismantling and restoration of the site. Economic benefits for the region Iberdrola will give preference to local companies for the construction of this power plant, which will create approximately 80 jobs during the construction phase and 6 direct and indirect permanent jobs during the operating phase for maintenance. Iberdrola, a committed player in the French market Iberdrola has been present in France for some twenty years and develops, builds and operates renewable energy projects in France, giving priority to respect for the environment and the social and economic development of the regions where its facilities are located. The company plans to invest around €4 billion by 2025, mainly in renewable energy projects. From Paris and with regional offices in Lyon, Nantes, Nancy, Bordeaux, Limoges and Marseille, Iberdrola operates 11 wind projects with a total installed capacity of 118 MW. The company is developing an 800-MW pipeline of onshore wind and photovoltaic projects at different stages of development. In France, the company is currently building a 496 MW offshore wind farm in the Bay of Saint-Brieuc which will be commissioned in December 2023. READ MORE
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10/02/2023We sign an agreement with Nissan to promote sustainable mobility in Italy Nissan and Iberdrola have signed a partnership agreement to strengthen their commitment to electric mobility in Italy and to achieving a more sustainable present and future. Under the terms of the agreement, Nissan will offer those who purchase its LEAF, Ariya - Nissan's first 100% electric SUV coupe - or Townstar - the compact commercial vehicle ideal for urban business and last mile deliveries - Iberdrola's complete Smart Mobility electric mobility package including a Wallbox Pulsar Plus electric charging station and installation of the device. The Wallbox Pulsar Plus is equipped with state-of-the-art technology to optimise the performance of home charging and can be integrated with the optional Powerboost accessory, which allows the current used to charge the car to be modulated according to household consumption. In addition, through a dedicated application, it is possible to manage access, schedule charging, monitor energy consumption and view the charging history. This new business partnership has a broad scope that goes beyond mobility solutions. As such, customers who purchase a Nissan EV and add the Smart Mobility package to their purchase will be able to access a comprehensive package of benefits from Iberdrola, ranging from bill discounts to one-off discounts on Smart Solutions products. Details of the offers and how to access them are available from the Nissan dealer network. A partnership based on common values and objectives Marco Toro, President and CEO of Nissan Italy, said: "Nissan is extending its offer to its electric vehicle customers with a 360° package of products and services including the charging system, electricity bill discounts and other products. In Iberdrola we have found a partner who, like us, always puts the customer at the centre and makes sustainability a strategic pillar. Thanks to this new partnership, our customers can have a broader and more convenient shopping experience, combining electric mobility solutions and economic advantages in energy supply and related services". Lorenzo Costantini, country manager of Iberdrola, explained that the company strives every day to accelerate the ecological transition in the countries where it operates and said that "developing our Smart Mobility offer, making it increasingly accessible to customers, is part of this strategy. With Nissan, we have entered into a partnership that reinforces our mission towards an increasingly sustainable future. In addition, our Wallbox smart charging systems are wall-mounted stations created to recharge electric cars quickly and safely. An innovative product that comes with the Smart Mobility Home app, through which you can manage charging directly from your smartphone, for an increasingly satisfying user experience. READ MORE
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09/02/2023The façade of the National Defence Advanced Studies Centre (CESEDEN) is illuminated for the first time The National Defence Advanced Studies Centre (CESEDEN) today unveiled its exterior lighting, in accordance with the agreement signed between Fundación Iberdrola España and the Ministry of Defence. This action is part of Iberdrola's initiatives for the care and conservation of historical-artistic wealth. The lighting was inaugurated this afternoon. It has a total of 70 luminaires with a power of 1,138 W, which use the most advanced LED technology, and with which it is possible to reduce the building's energy consumption, reduce light pollution and minimise maintenance work. The new design demonstrates the Iberdrola Foundation's commitment to promoting innovation and respect for the environment and provides the façade with a general, dim and continuous lighting, taking advantage of its warm, bull header surface. In addition, the different degrees of light reflection of the system will be responsible for maintaining the same sensation and perception of light that is generated by natural light, enhancing its architecture. The lighting ceremony in Madrid's Paseo de la Castellana was attended by Admiral General Teodoro Esteban López Calderón, JEMAD; Lieutenant General Francisco de Paula Bisbal Pons, DICESEDEN; the Chairman of Iberdrola, I gnacio Galán; and the Chairman of Fundación Iberdrola España, Fernando García Sánchez. In his speech, Ignacio Galán expressed his satisfaction with this contribution to the conservation of historical and artistic heritage, which is part of Iberdrola's lighting programme: "Today we want to contribute to giving the "beacon of knowledge" of the three armies the exterior lighting it deserves. Our technicians have carried out a project that enhances the characteristics of this magnificent building, helping the residents of Madrid and visitors from Spain and around the world to appreciate its beauty, and to learn more about the importance of the mission of this Centre". The project involved an investment of €79,500. This is in addition to the actions of the Lighting Programme since 2011, with which Iberdrola has allocated more than €3 million to the improvement of more than 40 monuments in Spain. These include the historic Roman Bridge of Alcántara in Cáceres; the façade of the Congress of Deputies and the Supreme Court in Madrid; the interior of the New Cathedral in Salamanca and the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Advanced Defence Studies Centre (CESEDEN) The original design of the building that houses the CESEDEN dates from the end of the 19th century, by the architect Ricardo Velázquez Bosco; it was designed to house the National School for the Deaf, Dumb and Blind of Madrid. It is a longitudinal building that combines exposed red brick with the white of the entrance and cornices. It is an extraordinary example of the best eclectic architecture in Madrid, which even today, more than a century after its construction, plays a representative role in the urban scene of the capital's main thoroughfare, the Paseo de la Castellana. The building has undergone several alterations over the years, the first to house the headquarters of the National Pedagogical Museum, the Teacher Training College and the Board of Pedagogical Missions during the Second Republic. After the Civil War, reforms were carried out to convert it into the Higher School of the Armed Forces. That is to say, from the beginning, the teaching and pedagogical uses of this building were defined and have been maintained to the present day. READ MORE
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06/02/2023The Renewable Hydrogen Coalition, chaired by Ignacio Galán, meets with Frans Timmermans to boost EU leadership in green hydrogen Simplicity, scale and speed. These were the key messages at the meeting held by the Renewable Hydrogen Coalition, chaired by Ignacio Galán since its creation, with the Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of the European Green Deal, Frans Timmermans, to analyse how to make the European Union a more attractive area for investment and continue to maintain its leadership in the development of green hydrogen. During the meeting, which took place in Brussels, the key role of financing and support to further promote a competitive renewable hydrogen industry in a strong European internal market was discussed. The Net Zero Industry Act and the EU Hydrogen Bank, two forthcoming support packages and funding mechanisms, were also discussed. The coalition also discussed EU policy issues with Stina Soewarta, Head of Cabinet of the Vice-President and Commissioner for Competition, Margrethe Vestager. The meetings took place the day after the European Commission outlined its intentions for the Green Deal Industrial Plan . Commenting on the proposals, Iberdrola’s Executive Chairman, Ignacio Galán, said: “The measures set out by the European Commission are a step in the right direction to reinforce the European commitment with decarbonization . We agree with the European Commission on the need for faster approvals for clean energy projects, more skills and training and new sustainable industries in Europe. Now the Commission and Member States need to move as fast as possible to put clear and stable policies and regulations in place. Reinforcing common principles and the Internal Market will be vital for Europe to continue attracting the massive investments required to reach our energy and climate targets and create jobs.” The Renewable Hydrogen Coalition was established in 2021 and is made up of Europe’s leading renewable hydrogen energy, technology and project development companies. The coalition argues that green hydrogen is a major opportunity to decarbonise sectors that cannot be electrified and to boost industrialisation and skilled employment in Europe. Furthermore, it argues that to accelerate the expansion of renewables, state and predictable regulatory frameworks are required. READ MORE
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06/02/2023We reaffirm our commitment to talent and employability with a new edition of the `Energy 4 Future' scholarships Iberdrola continues to develop its commitment to talent, excellence and employability by participating in a new edition of the 'Energy 4 Future' scholarships, an action that is part of the company's social dividend. Energy 4 Future (E4F) is an initiative that is part of the Horizon 2020 MSCA-COFUND Programme and offers young researchers the opportunity to develop their projects in the field of clean energy in a network of internationally renowned universities and research centres located in Europe and the USA. Thus, once again, Fundación Iberdrola España, in collaboration with the European Commission's Research Executive Agency (REA), is promoting this international postdoctoral research programme with joint funding of 4 million euros for 28 researchers. Last November, the meeting for the first call of the programme was held. The scholarships cover five areas of study: photovoltaics, wind energy, storage, smart grids and electric vehicles. To facilitate geographic mobility and the transfer of knowledge between academia and industry, the programme includes host periods of 18 to 21 months at universities and research centres , as well as professional stays of 3 to 6 months at Iberdrola's headquarters in the USA, Mexico, the UK and Spain. The application period for the second call for applications for these scholarships is from 1 February to 30 March 2023. The evaluation period runs from April to August, followed by the interview phase in September. The beneficiaries of these 2-year scholarships, starting in January 2024, will be notified in October. The research will be carried out at 15 European and American research centres and universities: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Rochester Institute of Technology in the USA; University of Strathclyde and Imperial College of London in the UK; Université de Bordeaux in France; and Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems in Germany. In Spain, eight centres will participate: Polytechnic University of Madrid, Carlos III University, University of Cantabria, Pontifical University of Comillas, University of the Basque Country, University of Salamanca, IMDEA Energía and Polymat - Basque center for Macromolecular Design and Engineering. This initiative replaces the previous scholarship programme for young researchers promoted by Fundación Iberdrola España since 2011, to which it has allocated more than 3 million euros to support the development of 180 researchers. It is also part of Iberdrola's commitment to excellence in training. Fundación Iberdrola collaborates with scholarship programmes of various institutions such as the Fulbright Commission, which each year calls for Iberdrola-Fulbright scholarships; Fundación Carolina, which has a programme for Mexican and Brazilian students; and the restoration workshops of the Museo Nacional del Prado and the Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao, which allow future specialists to complete their training in the conservation and restoration programmes of these institutions. In addition, Iberdrola has currently opened a new call for applications for its Master's scholarships for the 2023-2024 academic year, with the aim of promoting excellence in the training of new generations and fostering young talent. Iberdrola's social dividend is also reflected in its responsibility towards the environment; in its 12,000 volunteers; in the more than €350 million spent annually on innovation; and in the fact that, in the past year alone, close to 4,500 new professionals have joined the group. READ MORE
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03/02/2023Together with SODECO, we are looking for innovation projects to boost the energy transition in the north of Spain Iberdrola, a key company in promoting a just energy transition that fosters industrialisation and employment, and SODECO, Society for the Development of the Mining Regions of Asturias, have signed an alliance to promote a green promotion plan in the region. The company chaired by Ignacio Galán is doing so hand in hand with the electricity company's start-up programme, Perseo, and its sustainability team. The immediate objective of the agreement is to identify business projects that are based in the region of Langreo, and to this end they will make their resources available through a challenge . The mission is to transform the area into a space for advanced experimentation that encourages entrepreneurs and startups considering setting up in the region with financing options for local business initiatives. The transformation designed by Iberdrola for Asturias includes renewable energy facilities with the development of new wind farms for 130 megawatts (MW) of power, projects related to the circular economy and more investment in the field of sustainable mobility, with the deployment of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. The aim is for the region to become a magnet for industry and employment. With the current initiative, SODECO and Iberdrola want to identify new business projects to be established in the region of Langreo, in the Nalón Valley (Asturias), related to the energy sector and sustainability - energy efficiency solutions, self-consumption, sustainable mobility, smart cities, photovoltaic generation and circular economy - in order to analyse the possibilities of promoting and supporting them, thus accelerating the energy transition in the region. For the selection of the proposals, the impact on the decarbonisation and electrification of the economy, the maturity and scalability of the project, the viability and sustainability of the business plan, the impact on the region and the connection with initiatives identified in the Innovation Platform will be assessed. The aforementioned platform was created in September 2020, promoted by Iberdrola together with the Centre for Innovation in Technology for Human Development of the Polytechnic University of Madrid (itdUPM) and the Agirre Lehendakaria Center (ALC) of the University of the Basque Country, and is designed to promote and facilitate collaboration between citizens, administrations and companies to support a just transition in the territories that are dealing with the closure processes of Iberdrola's coal-fired power plants. This will also stimulate a systemic and sustainable transformation of the socio-economic model of these territories. The electricity company, through this platform, follows a working methodology based on listening and the construction of an experimentation portfolio with the aim of identifying existing opportunities and capacities in the territory, connecting them with each other, and catalysing the transformation of the socio-productive model of the area towards sustainability. The platform is studying concrete and interconnected initiatives in the Nalón Valley area - formed by the municipalities of Caso, Langreo, Laviana, San Martín del Rey Aurelio and Sobrescobio - and holding working sessions for the connection of initiatives related to or shaped by these areas of opportunity: food systems, energy, training, health, recycling, regulation, financing and green employment. SODECO aims to contribute to the diversification of the economic structure of the central Asturian mining region, supporting the creation of companies or the strengthening of existing ones, promoting entrepreneurship and the creation of alternative employment to mining in its area of action. The company is 50% owned by the state energy company HUNOSA and the Government of the Principality of Asturias. Iberdrola and SODECO will provide the selected projects with the necessary support to develop the proposed project, which may include access to financing, equipment, devices, infrastructures, high-tech sites and co-working areas. The driving force behind energy startups This year, Iberdrola celebrates 15 years of innovation in the energy sector through its PERSEO start-up programme . This has helped the utility to implement innovative solutions to promote renewable energies, decarbonisation and electrification of the economy, digitalisation of grids, promotion of efficient storage and care for the environment. The programme's ecosystem includes more than 7,500 startups, including unicorns - companies valued at more than $1 billion - such as electric vehicle charging solutions manufacturer Wallbox and Stem, which offers smart battery storage solutions. Pilot projects give startups access to large volumes of data and real energy assets by testing their technologies in a real-world environment, while at the same time offering investment to startups with the highest growth potential. These two formulas provide insight into the market and access to key technologies first-hand. READ MORE
