Noticias
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20/03/2024Iberdrola confirms new agreement with Amazon to procure 159 MW of renewable energy from East Anglia THREE, world’s second largest offshore wind farm Iberdrola, one of the world’s largest clean energy companies, and Amazon have expanded their long-term global clean power partnership by signing a major renewable energy power purchase agreement (PPA) for 159 MW of East Anglia THREE offshore wind farm in the UK, equivalent to 700 gigawatt-hours GWh of clean electricity per-year. Amazon has also signed PPAs with Iberdrola to enable projects in Germany, the U.S., and elsewhere in the UK. Over the life of these PPAs, Amazon has contracted 54,000 GWh of renewable energy from Iberdrola. East Anglia THREE will support more than 2,300 jobs during construction, and 100 long-term jobs over the lifetime of the wind farm. The 1.4 GW project will be powered by 95 Siemens Gamesa 14.7 megawatt (MW) turbines, and will be located 69km off the coast of Suffolk. When the wind farm becomes fully operational, expected in 2026, the project will generate enough clean electricity to power the equivalent of 1.3 million British homes1 and will be the second biggest offshore wind farm in the world. The new agreement was announced at the Haizea Wind Group facility in Bilbao where the manufacture of 50 monopiles is underway. From there, they will be shipped to the UK and used to support the wind turbines of the East Anglia THREE wind farm. Capacity from East Anglia THREE will support Amazon’s commitment to match all the electricity powering its operations with 100% renewable energy by 2025 – five years ahead of the company’s original 2030 target. With more than 500 solar and wind projects globally, Amazon is also the world’s largest corporate purchaser of renewable energy since 2020. Expanding on their digital partnership, the companies today launched the global “Journey to Cloud” programme, by further migrating Iberdrola’s operations to the Cloud and leveraging AWS’s High-Performance Computing services big data services. Projects already delivered include the use of the Cloud to halve the time it takes to run complex weather simulation, and Amazon Sagemaker Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning services to maximise the efficiency of renewable energy assets worldwide. On Smart Grids, ScottishPower, an Iberdrola company, has built an Internet of things (IoT) platform to collect sensor data and improve the knowledge of its Low Voltage network in the UK. The two companies are designing projects to incorporate generative AI through Amazon Bedrock to improve the experience of its customers and support its field workers. Sergio Hernández de Deza, Director of Large Customers and Industrial Solutions at Iberdrola, said: “Companies like Amazon are leading the corporate drive to advance the renewable energy industry, and guarantee energy security, sustainability, price stability and competitiveness. Today, two global leaders join forces in an agreement that will mean more energy independence, more local jobs and lower emissions on both sides of the Atlantic. “We are excited to partner with Amazon in the field of generative AI and big data, allowing our business to innovate and scale at speed.” Lindsay McQuade, Director of Energy for EMEA at Amazon, said: “Amazon is enabling renewable projects worldwide because transitioning to carbon-free energy sources is one of the most impactful ways to lower carbon emissions and help us reach our Climate Pledge commitment of net-zero carbon by 2040. This is good for the planet and our customers. It is great to see Iberdrola using the cloud and AI to turbocharge their renewables business and deliver much-needed clean power to grids worldwide.” Two of Iberdrola’s previously announced offshore wind farms in Germany (Baltic Eagle and Windanker) will provide Amazon with 319 MW of clean energy (1.3 terawatt-hours each year), which is equivalent to the annual electricity needs of more than 314,000 European homes. In the US, Amazon has signed agreements which include Amazon Wind Farm Osagrove Flats wind farm for 150 MW (550 GWh/a) and the repowered Leaning Juniper IIA for 90 MW (240 GWh/a). The Osagrove Flats wind farm will have a capacity of 150 MW in LaSalle County, Illinois. Consisting of 45 turbines, it will be capable of powering 24,400 homes annually. The project will support around 300 jobs during construction. The Repowered Leaning Juniper IIA will have a capacity of 98.4 MW in Gilliam County, Oregon. Consisting of 40 turbines, it will be capable of powering 22,800 homes annually. The project will support 200 jobs during construction. READ MORE
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19/03/2024Iberdrola’s General Shareholders' Meeting called to be held next May 17 At its meeting today, the Board of Directors of Iberdrola resolved to call the 2024 General Shareholders' Meeting of the company to be held on 17 May. Iberdrola has been committed for years to strengthening dialogue with its hundreds of thousands of shareholders and to achieving their maximum involvement in the company's most important decisions. For this reason, for the third consecutive year, the Board of Directors has proposed an involvement dividend, being the only Ibex 35 company that rewards its shareholders for participating in the company's most important event. If this new incentive is approved at the General Shareholders' Meeting on 17 May and a certain quorum is reached, Iberdrola will pay an additional amount to all its shareholders entitled to participate in the General Shareholders' Meeting. The percentage of the required quorum as well as the amount of this involvement dividend will be published in the coming days, along with the announcement of the meeting. The agenda of the forthcoming General Shareholders' Meeting includes 22 proposed resolutions, among which are amendments to the By-Laws, with the objectives of reinforcing the continuous and permanent engagement of shareholders in the life of the company and fostering their effective and sustainable involvement in the company. Also included are updates relating to Iberdrola's position as a holding company of the group and to the Director Remuneration Policy, given the deadline established for its review by the shareholders at the General Shareholders' Meeting. In addition, it is proposed to approve the annual accounts, the management report, the statement of non-financial information, the dividend for 2023, and two new editions of the "Iberdrola Flexible Remuneration" optional dividend system, as well as the re-election of three members of the Board of Directors. In particular, it is proposed to the shareholders at the General Shareholders' Meeting to re-elect Ms Nicola Mary Brewer and Ms Regina Helena Jorge Nunes as independent directors and Mr Iñigo Víctor de Oriol Ibarra as external director. It is also proposed to maintain the number of members of the Board of Directors at 14. In this way, the company consolidates the high level of independence of its members, as well as their diversity, at all levels. The wide range of age, experience and origin of the directors, with six nationalities present on the governing body, reflects the company's firm commitment to diversity. In addition, Iberdrola has a balanced presence of women and men on the Board of Directors: external directors are distributed 50/50 between both genders, and no gender has a representation of less than 42.86% of all directors. In fact, this company has been ahead of the requirements in force, complying uninterruptedly, since 2021, with the target of 40% of female directors set for the end of 2022 in the Good Governance Code of Listed Companies, and with the minimum presence of each gender in 40% of the non-executive members or 33% of the total members set for 30 June 2026 in Directive (EU) 2022/2381 of the European Parliament and of the Council. New share buyback programme At today's meeting, the Board of Directors also agreed to implement a new share buyback programme, which is scheduled to start on 23 April. The objective is to comply with the group's commitment to maintain a stable number of shares in circulation, on which earnings per share are estimated at around 6,240 million. To this end, subject to the agreement of the General Shareholders' Meeting, Iberdrola will redeem a maximum of 183,299,000 treasury shares, representing 2.854% of the company's current share capital, including those acquired through the buyback programme. The General Shareholders' Meeting, a sustainable event Iberdrola remains committed to its leadership in the sustainability of all its processes, including corporate events, as provided for in its Sustainable Management Policy. Its General Shareholders' Meeting would be certified as a sustainable event for the ninth consecutive year. This recognition is awarded by AENOR, based on compliance with the requirements of the ISO 20121 standard for sustainable event management, and by the Basque Government's public company IHOBE, through its "Erronka Garbia" seal. These certifications accredit that all of the Board's processes - from planning to after the event - follow sustainable criteria in order to ensure accessibility, minimise environmental impact, help the local community and groups in vulnerable situations and raise awareness of sustainability. Iberdrola was the first Ibex 35 company to obtain this certification in 2016 and to renew it in 2019. In 2020, the company was a pioneer in certifying the sustainable management of both the Board and the results presentations and Capital Markets Day. READ MORE
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19/03/2024Iberdrola begins construction of Spain's most powerful charging station Iberdrola begins the construction of the most powerful charging station in Spain. The facility will have 47 charging points, with a total power of 5.6 MW, and a solar community that will provide access to self-consumption for 92 families, without the need for their own installation or investment. The charging station will have charging points with a wide range of power ratings, including 15 ultra-fast points that will form part of the alliance between Iberdrola and bp pulse for the development of high-power sustainable mobility . These points will be powered by 100% green energy – from renewable sources with a Guarantee of Origin certificate (GoO). The project is funded by the European Union - NextGenerationEU within the framework of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan. Iberdrola's electric mobility network is the largest in Spain – with over 6,0006,000 public charging points with a 100% renewable Guarantee of Origin. In total, between public and private charging points, the company's network has 45,000 chargers. You can read the full story in the Iberdrola España Press room page. READ MORE
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19/03/2024Neoenergia forms an alliance with Lollapalooza for decarbonisation Iberdrola, through its subsidiary in Brazil, Neoenergia, becomes a sponsor of the international Lollapalooza festival in São Paulo (which takes place from 22 to 24 March) to raise public awareness on reducing carbon emissions. The company announced this partnership with one of the largest international music festivals, expanding the #ForDecarbonisation movement and plans to install a lighting system toprovide clean energy. You can read the full story on our Neoenergia Press Room page. READ MORE
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18/03/2024EIB and Iberdrola agree EUR 700 million green loan for electricity grid expansion in Spain The European Investment Bank (EIB) has approved a €700 million green loan to expand Iberdrola's electricity distribution network in Spain. The first €500 million tranche of the loan was signed in Madrid by Jean-Christophe Laloux, the EIB's Director General for EU Operations; and José Sainz Armada, Iberdrola's Chief Finance, Control and Corporate Development Officer (CFO). The total investment associated with the project will be €1.44 billion; the other €740 million will be provided by Iberdrola. The project will contribute to increasing the efficiency and resilience of the electricity distribution network, facilitate connection, new electrification uses such as heat pumps and electric mobility, and allow more renewable energy sources to be integrated into the grid. This will contribute to accelerating the energy transition and advancing the decarbonisation of the Spanish electricity sector. The project will also boost industrialisation and economic and employment growth in Spain by maintaining around 10,000 jobs per year in 12 autonomous communities, throughout the implementation period. The financing agreement underlines the EIB's commitment to economic, social and territorial cohesion, as more than 65% of the total associated investment will go to regions whose per capita income is below the EU average. The 700 million loan approved is part of the EIB's program of actions to support the REPowerEU plan, and will support energy security by facilitating the integration of renewable energies and reducing the European Union's dependence on fossil fuel imports. "Supporting the modernisation of electricity grids to facilitate the integration of new renewable energy sources is one of the EIB's priorities included in its Climate Bank roadmap," commented Jean-Christophe Laloux, the EIB's Director General for EU Operations. This new financing agreement with Iberdrola will accelerate Spain's energy transition, ensure access to sustainable energy for all citizens and contribute to the EU's energy and strategic autonomy," added Laloux. José Sainz Armada, Iberdrola's Chief Finance, Control and Corporate Development Officer (CFO), said: "Thanks to this loan, the company will be able to accelerate the decarbonisation of industry – a key process for Spanish companies. With this new EIB financing we are furthering the development of smart grids in Spain, which are essential for facilitating the energy transition, boosting efficiency and improving the distribution network and the quality of supply. We are also helping to electrify the economy and reduce the country's energy dependence. EIB and energy security In 2023, the EIB Group provided more than €21 billion in financing for energy security in Europe. In Spain, this objective amounted to 4.5 billion in the same year, financing renewable energy projects, energy efficiency, electricity grids and storage systems, among others. These investments are helping Europe to accelerate the transition towards the use of sustainable energy and reduce its dependence on fossil fuel imports. In July 2023, the EIB's Board of Directors decided to increase to €45 billion the funds allocated to REPowerEU projects , the plan designed to end Europe's dependence on fossil fuel imports.The EIB has also decided to broaden the range of eligible sectors to boost financing for the EU manufacturing industry in strategic cutting-edge technologies with zero net carbon emissions, as well as the extraction, processing and recycling of key raw materials. This additional funding will be distributed between now and 2027 and, in total, is expected to use more than €150 billion in investments in the targeted sectors. More information on the EIB's support to the energy sector can be found here . Electricity distribution networks - a key pillar of the energy transition Electricity grids are the necessary platform to move towards a decarbonised economy, enabling the integration of more renewables, the attraction of industry, sustainable mobility, smart cities and self-consumption. Distribution grids are a key part of enabling initiatives and trends that are changing the economy, such as electric mobility, heat pumps, self-consumption and smart cities. The European Union has recently increased the target for total renewable energy consumption in Europe to 42.5% by 2030, up from 32% previously. In order to bring renewables to customers and businesses, it is estimated that for every euro invested in renewable generation, around one euro of investment in distribution networks is needed. Iberdrola operates one of the most important electricity distribution systems in the world. The company already has more than 1.3 million kilometres of power lines and over 4,500 substations in Spain, the United States, the United Kingdom and Brazil – which distribute electricity to more than 35 million people worldwide. Iberdrola's commitment to sustainable financing and the decarbonization of the country Iberdrola continues to advance in its commitment to sustainability – based on the electrification of the economy – through clean energy, and oriented towards the fight against climate change and the creation of wealth and employment in the communities in which it operates. At the end of 2023, the Group already had over €54.4 billion in green or sustainability-linked financing, of which more than €20.2 billion in green bonds. READ MORE
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15/03/2024Neoenergia is recognised by the UN for its programme to support victims of gender-based violence Iberdrola, through its subsidiary in Brazil, Neoenergia , has been recognised for its protection, inclusion and support programme for victims of gender-based violence with the Good Practices Award of the Women Lead 2030 movement, promoted by the UN Global Compact Network Brazil. During the ceremony held in New York, Eduardo Capelastegui, CEO of Neoenergia, pointed out that "we promote diversity and inclusion through actions aimed at social contribution. In this way, we stand side by side with our collaborators in the search for an even more inclusive, innovative and sustainable future for all". You can read the full story in the Neoenergia press room page . READ MORE
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14/03/2024Iberdrola and FCC sign an agreement to promote photovoltaic panel recycling FCC Ámbito, a subsidiary of FCC Servicios Medio Ambiente, and Iberdrola, through its PERSEO Venture Builder programme, have signed a strategic collaboration agreement to promote the industrial-scale recycling of photovoltaic panels. Following the successful creation of the company EnergyLoop as a joint experience for the recycling of wind turbine blades , the two companies are furthering their collaboration to develop circularity solutions for waste linked to photovoltaic solar generation . With the industrial photovoltaic panel treatment plant that FCC Ámbito has just inaugurated in Cadrete (Zaragoza) as a reference asset, both companies will carry out – within the framework of this collaboration – the monitoring and potential application of new treatment technologies that may be developed in the short or medium term and improve the industrial recovery capacity of photovoltaic panels. In addition, and with the challenge of the complete circularity of the different materials that make up the photovoltaic panels, we will study the possibility of reusing the materials obtained in the treatment processes as secondary raw materials in the manufacture of new photovoltaic panels. To this end, possible synergies will be assessed with companies in which Iberdrola has a stake, through Perseo, in activities such as the manufacture of photovoltaic panels or the recycling of metals. Other aspects included in the scope of the agreement are the study of calls for European or national public aid that may arise to promote the recycling of photovoltaic panels, either for the promotion of R&D&I or for the implementation of industrial-scale installations. Linked to this activity, FCC Ámbito is leading the PV4INK R&D&I project, financed by the Ministry of Science and Innovation and the European Union's Next Generation funds. This project is aimed at recovering the silver contained in photovoltaic panels and use it in high-value applications. In this way, the rate of recovery will increase and we will also recover a strategic element for the energy transition. In contrast to what is beginning to happen with wind farms , photovoltaic installations still have many years of operation ahead of them. Iberdrola seeks to be ready when their useful life comes to an end, for which this collaboration agreement will provide an ideal positioning. In this same context, Iberdrola is participating in the European RETRIEVE project, whose general objective is to develop innovative and flexible recovery technologies for each main component of photovoltaic panels – especially silicon. On behalf of FCC Ámbito, María Jesús Kaifer, Technical Director and Head of Circular Economy, emphasised that "From the perspective that the energy transition is key in decarbonisation processes, our company considers strategic growth objectives, such as developing comprehensive recycling solutions for materials from the energy transition ". María added that "this strategic agreement is a continuation of our efforts in the search for the best technologies for the recovery of the resources contained in waste in order to incorporate them back into production processes. The recycling of photovoltaic panels is another project that we are tackling together with a leading company in its sector, Iberdrola, in order to join forces to guarantee the circularity of renewable energies". Álvaro Portellano, Head of PERSEO Venture Builder at Iberdrola, commented that "Iberdrola's goal is to recycle all the components of its facilities. We see recycling not as a challenge but as an opportunity. Therefore, we see this new collaboration as a valuable opportunity to contribute to the circularity of new elements of the energy transition, and it expands the scope of our alliance with FCC Ámbito, which already successfully addresses the recycling of wind turbine blades through EnergyLoop". "In 2020, the PERSEO Venture Builder programme was launched to promote the development of innovative industries such as, among others, those related to the circular economy. In this sense, we are excited to combine this objective with the strengths and capabilities of FCC Ámbito – a global leader in waste management – to promote and lead the recycling of photovoltaic panels in the Iberian Peninsula," said Portellano. Aligned with FCC Medio Ambiente's Sustainability Strategy 2050 FCC Ámbito is the subsidiary of FCC Servicios Medio Ambiente specialising in the integrated management of industrial and commercial waste, recovery of by-products and soil decontamination. As a whole, it has a total of 39 treatment centres in Spain and Portugal, with more than 67 processing lines that guarantee the functionality of the facilities. FCC Servicios Medio Ambiente is the FCC Group company that has been providing municipal services and integrated waste management for 120 years, serving more than 67 million people in nearly 5,400 municipalities around the world. In 2023, the company managed 24.7 million tonnes of waste and produced 4.8 million tonnes of secondary raw materials and fuel derived from waste. FCC Ámbito contributes its extensive experience in the recycling and marketing of secondary raw materials for the definition of the operational processes in the development of the projects arising from this alliance. The incorporation of new technologies in this type of project will allow FCC Ámbito to consolidate and position itself as a key player in the country's circular economy processes, a fundamental pillar of FCC Medio Ambiente's 2050 Sustainability Strategy. This Sustainability Strategy consists of a 30-year business development roadmap that integrates very demanding objectives and commitments with high added value for the company and society as a whole, and which are grouped into four lines of action: environmental, social, excellence and good governance. The circular economy – the core of Iberdrola's business model This collaboration responds to Iberdrola's commitment to a sustainable energy model and is part of its PERSEO Venture Builder programme to promote the development of innovative industrial companies working in new areas of electrification and in sectors that are difficult to decarbonise. Iberdrola defines its circular economy strategy as a process that affects its entire value chain, both its own production processes and those of its suppliers and customers. The group prioritises the contracting of companies with environmental management systems and, together with its suppliers, promotes eco-design, the analysis of the life cycle of products, and the use of materials with a low environmental impact. The company also promotes the circular economy by reducing the use of natural resources through its commitment to decarbonisation and electrification, and the more sustainable use of natural resources by promoting the use of more efficient and cleaner technologies and processes. It also encourages research to develop solutions for waste use and promotes responsible consumption through environmental awareness programmes. Since its creation in 2008, PERSEO has invested €100 million in start-ups that develop innovative technologies and business models, focusing on those that improve the sustainability of the energy sector through greater electrification and decarbonisation of the economy. The programme has focused its actions on the analysis of business opportunities and technological collaboration with start-ups and emerging companies around the world. Through PERSEO, the Venture Builder programme was launched in 2020 with €40 million for the creation of new business models aimed at supporting electrification in sectors that are difficult to decarbonise and the development of circular economy solutions, among others. READ MORE
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14/03/2024Neoenergia launches bid to acquire 6.89% of its Brazilian subsidiary Cosern Iberdrola's Brazilian subsidiary Neoenergia has launched a bid to acquire 6.89% of the capital of its subsidiary Neoenergia Cosern. As the company has informed the Brazilian Securities Commission (CVM, by its Brazilian acronym), the company intends to acquire both ordinary shares and Class A and Class B preferred shares. At present, Neoenergia already owns approximately 93.11% of the distributor's share capital. This price represents an investment of 163 million Brazilian reais – around 30 million euros at the current exchange rate. The bid is for the acquisition of all outstanding shares, which amount to around 11.5 million shares. The company will pay 13.73 Brazilian reais per share for the ordinary shares and 15.10 Brazilian reais for the Class A and B preferred shares. The deal, like the one announced in 2022 for its subsidiary Neoenergia Pernambuco, will help simplify the shareholding in Neoenergia's distribution companies, and is expected to close by the end of the year. The offer, which has yet to receive regulatory approvals, is conditional on acceptance by at least two-thirds of the target shareholders. Neoenergia Cosern was created in 1961 and was under the control of the State Government until 1997, when privatisation took place. Since then, it has maintained a continuous evolution in the quality of service offered to the inhabitants of the state of Rio Grande do Norte, always seeking to improve the relationship with its customers and contribute to the development of the state. The company is present in 167 municipalities in Potiguares, has a concession area of 53,000 square kilometres and serves 1.5 million customers (3.5 million inhabitants). READ MORE
