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Iberdrola recorded a strong performance in the first nine months of 2021. On the eve of COP26, where the company will participate as a principal partner through ScottishPower, Iberdrola reaffirmed its sustainability strategy, based on electrification and supported by a strong investment effort, which increased by 6% during the period, to €7.03 billion, with 77% being in international markets. Some 90% of investments were allocated to the development of new renewables and smart grid projects. Investment in networks increased by 27% to €3.18 billion.

Investments in Spain amounted to €1.59 billion, up 21% from the same period of 2020 and have been directed towards the development of new renewable capacity (€792 million); smart grids (€445 million); and maintenance and other investments (€356 million).

The Chairman of Iberdrola, Ignacio Galán, stated that “we remain committed to our sustainability strategy based on the fight against climate change and the creation of wealth and employment in the communities where we operate, for the benefit of our stakeholders.”

Between January and September 2021, the company posted €8.16 billion (+10.7%) gross operating profit (EBITDA), driven by the United States and Brazil. Of the total, 87% came from networks and renewables. Of note is the negative impact of higher energy prices in Spain and the UK, as well as regulatory measures in Spain.

Networks EBITDA grew by 11.5% to €3.93 billion, due to the strong operating performance of the business in all the countries where the company operates, thanks to investments made and tariffs. Excluding the impact of COVID-19 and the exchange rate, EBITDA would have increased by 14%.

Renewables increased its EBITDA in the period by 70.9% to €3.04 billion, as a result of increased production, due to the higher installed capacity delivered by its investment plan and the improvement in load factors. The area also reflects the positive impact of the reversal of the 2013 – 2016 hydroelectric levy in Spain.

Generation and Supply posted €1.08 billion (-44.7%) EBITDA, impacted by high prices in the electricity markets of Spain and UK, the cold spells in Spain, Texas, Mexico and other international markets in the first quarter of the year, and the impact of RDL 17/2021 in Spain.

In Spain, this business area recorded revenues of €9.14 billion (+16.1%), but reduced its EBITDA by 60.3% (€711 million) and posted a net profit of €76.3 million (-87%) - less than 1% of revenues - as a result of high electricity prices due to the effect of gas prices and with sales to customers on fixed prices. As a result of maintaining prices for fixed rate customers, these consumers have benefited from savings of more than €2 billion compared to the cost that the high prices of the pool would have caused them.

Adjusted net profit to September grew 5.2% to €2.68 billion. Effects such as the change in taxation in Spain and UK, the impact of RDL 17/2021 (-EUR 114 million), as well as other extraordinary items (COVID), brought reported net profit to €2.4 billion, 10.2% lower than in the same period of the previous year.

In the period, Iberdrola has continued to consolidate a business model and finance profile protected from inflation and the increase in commodity prices. 70% of its revenues come from A-rated markets. In Spain, 100% of production is sold for 2021 and 96% for 2022; in the United Kingdom 100% of production is sold for both years.Also, procurement for 2021 and 2022 is closed and protected from the current tensions in commodity prices.

82% of installed capacity planned by 2025, under construction or secured

Iberdrola's investment plan increased the company's operational renewable capacity to more than 37,300 MW as of September. In the last 12 months, Iberdrola has commissioned 3,738 MW of green capacity, of which 1,228 MW onshore wind; 1,519 MW solar photovoltaic; 880 MW hydroelectric (Tâmega complex in Portugal); and 112 MW battery storage.

The company is currently progressing with the construction of 7,200 MW. Of these, 2,600 MW are offshore wind projects. 80% of these projects are being built mainly in international markets outside Spain.

In Spain, renewable capacity installed over the last 12 months stands at 2,350 MW. This figure is larger than the sum of the capacity installed by the next three largest developers in Spain. Currently, some 1,500 MW are under development: 375 MW onshore wind and 1,125 MW solar photovoltaic.

Iberdrola is committed to installing and commissioning a total of 27,600 MW in the 2020-2025 period, with the aim of reaching 60,000 MW of renewable capacity. As of September 2021, 22,686 MW are under construction or at a high level of maturity, which means that 82% of the new capacity planned for the period has been secured.

The group's project pipeline amounts to 81,800 MW. Of these, 22,800 MW are offshore wind; 17,700 MW onshore wind; 37,000 MW solar photovoltaic; 3,400 MW hydroelectric and 900 MW batteries. To the opportunities in new growth platforms such as Poland, Sweden, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Australia, we have to add those in established European countries - the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Iberia - the United States and Brazil.

To meet its investment commitment, Iberdrola has made purchases from suppliers totalling more than €22 billion since the start of the pandemic.

Platforms for growth: offshore wind, PNM Resources and green hydrogen

One of the group's main growth platforms is offshore wind. The company already operates 1,300 MW of this technology and is progressing construction of 2,600 MW in several projects, namely Saint Brieuc (France), Vineyard Wind 1, Park City Wind (United States) and Baltic Eagle (Germany), which will double its offshore wind capacity in the coming years. Also, it has just exercised the option to develop Windanker offshore wind farm, forming part of the company's Baltic Hub which will have over 1,000 MW total installed capacity.

Iberdrola's strategy in offshore wind will be driven by the auction processes planned in the short and medium term in the main markets where it operates or is positioned: Europe, the United States and Asia Pacific. The company currently has 2,900 MW of offshore wind under construction or secured to operate between 2023-2026 in the US and Europe.

Another of its growth platforms - the acquisition of PNM Resources in the United States - is expected to be completed before the end of the year. The deal will consolidate Iberdrola as one of the largest distributors and the third largest renewables operator in the US market.

Progress is also being made in the development of new technologies, such as green hydrogen. The company has more than 60 projects in eight countries - Spain, United Kingdom, Italy, Brazil, United States, Mexico and Australia - with a portfolio that will require investments of more than €3 billion by 2030 for the production of 134,000 tonnes per year.

Smart customer solutions also point to growth opportunities with the expansion of smart-smart solutions at home and electric mobility: Smart Mobility bookings have tripled, Smart Solar more than doubled, and Smart Home and Smart Climate growing by 1.2x and 1.5x, respectively.

Financial strength, leadership in green and sustainable finance

Iberdrola has accelerated the pace of its investments, while maintaining the strength of its balance sheet. The company has increased its operating cash flow by 7% to €6.41 billion. It also strengthened its financial ratios after increasing liquidity at the end of September to more than €19 billion, covering 19 months of financing needs. With an average maturity of more than 6 years, fixed-rate debt amounts to approximately 68%, protecting the balance sheet against inflationary processes.

The group remains the leader in green and sustainable financing, with €35.8 billion, and consolidates its position as the world's leading corporate issuer of green bonds.

During the period, Iberdrola continued to make progress in its sustainability strategy, based on the electrification of the economy and geared towards the fight against climate change and the creation of wealth and employment in the communities where it operates.

And so, in addition to leading green and sustainable financing, its own CO₂ emissions to September were reduced to 53 g/kWh, in line to becoming an emissions-neutral company in Europe by 2030. Iberdrola is helping its value chain to develop rigorous sustainability policies, with procurement from suppliers contributing to maintain 400,000 jobs worldwide.

In Spain, the company also maintains its environmental leadership. During the nine months of 2021, CO₂ emissions have been reduced by 24% to 60 gCO₂/kWh. This figure represents an emissions-free production ratio of 87% of Iberdrola's total domestic production.

In 2020, Iberdrola's fiscal contribution in Spain amounted to €3.38 billion and represented 45% of the group's total worldwide while revenue in Spain over the period represented approximately a third of total revenue. The corporate tax rate is over 21%.

Since the start of the pandemic, €6 billion of contract awards have been made in Spain to a total of 5,500 suppliers that have over 85,000 employees.