2001
Ignacio S. Galán joins Iberdrola as executive vice chairman and chief executive officer.
Leadership in Spain 2001-2006
Key milestones of this period
2001
2001
Iberdrola approves its Strategic Plan 2001-2006, under the slogan ‘x2+’.
2002
Iberdrola updates its brand identity to its current logo: “new energy” becomes part of the communication of the new Strategic Plan.
2005
Commissioning of the Maranchón wind farm, the largest in Spain at the time.
2006
Ignacio S. Galán is appointed Executive Chairman of Iberdrola. He would later be re-elected by a large majority at the General Shareholders’ Meetings of 2010, 2015, 2019 and 2023.
2006
An increasingly technological world
The technological revolution of the early 2000s positioned the ICT market as one of the most attractive sectors. The general trend shifted towards business diversification through investments in the technology sector, particularly telecommunications. However, the company chose to remain true to its original purpose: working to supply energy to industry and households. In this context, the strategic focus was placed on investment in generation and networks in Spain, Mexico and Brazil, enabling the company to prepare for future growth in demand.
The new energy needs of an increasingly globalised world, which had been growing steadily since the 1950s, highlighted the need for a new model. The impact of progressive global industrialisation and rising energy demand brought the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to the centre of the conversation. The Kyoto Protocol, adopted in 1997 but not entering into force until 2005, called for a commitment to more sustainable technologies.
In response, Iberdrola made a strong commitment to wind energy, a business that was underestimated and even neglected by the sector at the time. However, the new European directives that followed Kyoto would make this technology one of the most attractive for clean-energy generation and a key driver of electrification.
Commitment to renewable energy
The year 2001 marked a turning point for Iberdrola. Ignacio S. Galán joined the management team as executive vice chairman and chief executive officer. That same year, the Strategic Plan 2001-2006 was approved, under the slogan ‘x2+’, focusing on expansion into new markets outside Spain and a clear commitment to renewable energy to anticipate global energy demand. This new approach required a fresh brand identity to clearly convey the company’s dawning era. Thus, in 2002, Iberdrola adopted its current logo and highlighted “new energy” as the central axis of its brand. That same year, reflecting the company’s social commitment, the Iberdrola España Foundation was established. It was also in 2002 that the Monterrey combined cycle plant in Mexico entered commercial operation.
The year 2003 was marked by recognition from IR Magazine for both the company and its chairman for the first time, an achievement that would be repeated 15 more times in different categories. What’s more, Ignacio Galán received the award for Best CEO of European utilities from Institutional Investor Research (now Extel). This recognition marked the beginning of a trajectory in which the Group has been recognised year after year in various categories.
With this strategic plan as its roadmap, the company began a new phase of growth both in Spain and internationally. With the commissioning of the Maranchón wind farm (Guadalajara) in 2005, the largest project of its kind in the country at the time was created.
The following year, in 2006, Ignacio S. Galán was appointed Executive Chairman of Iberdrola, a position to which he would later be overwhelmingly re-elected at the General Shareholders’ Meetings of 2010, 2015, 2019 and 2023. That same year, Ignacio Galán received the CEO of the Year award from Platts.
The digitalisation of the distribution network advanced significantly in Spain, where the company launched the STAR Project, aimed at installing more than 11 million smart meters.
The Iberdrola Volunteer Programme was also created, an initiative designed to channel the solidarity of employees and encourage their participation in social projects focused on the integration of vulnerable groups, environmental improvement and sustainable development.
Iberdrola approves its 2001–2006 Strategic Plan, with the slogan “x2+” (2001).
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Because the light we switched on more than a century ago now shines brighter than ever.
Celebrating 125 years of history in Spain