Our innovation model

Innovation, a strategic pillar for Iberdrola

For more than two decades, Iberdrola has consolidated a business model based on continuous investment in R&D&I, which guides our strategy and enables us to anticipate the challenges of the energy sector.

Our R&D&I purpose at Iberdrola is clear: “drive the development of innovative and sustainable technologies across the entire value chain, aligned with the key drivers of the electrification towards a more electric, secure and healthy model for people. This is how we create value through our processes and products while also reducing environmental impact.”

This sustained commitment has positioned us as the world’s leading private energy company in R&D&I investment, according to the European Commission. In 2024, we reached a record figure of more than €400 million.

Open and decentralised innovation: The key to our leadership

Innovation is a strategic factor that ensures the sustainability, efficiency and competitiveness of the Iberdrola Group. Our global innovation model is defined by its open and decentralised approach:

Decentralised: the process is carried out independently within each team and/or business unit, supported by the Technology Division.
Open: we engage the entire innovation ecosystem by connecting startups, universities, suppliers and technology centres, acting as a driving force for technological progress.

By doing so, we are promoting R&D&I in all the countries where Iberdrola operates, encouraging collaboration and a culture of innovation. To achieve this, we have multidisciplinary innovation teams that act as local innovation hubs connected to the global ecosystem. All of them work closely with experts from Iberdrola’s business units and innovation centres to identify new opportunities and develop transformative initiatives for the energy sector.

With our Strategic Plan 2025-2028 we have reaffirmed our commitment to building a sustainable and secure energy future. Video voice-over transcription [PDF]

An innovative effort built around three main pillars

Technology and innovation: Projects

Electricity generation. We research disruptive technologies to increase efficiency and improve the integration of renewables and storage into the energy system, strengthening sustainability, security and competitiveness.
Energy distribution and management. We are committed to a more flexible, multidirectional, digital and resilient power system through the development of smart grids, energy-management tools and digital technologies.
Electrification of demand. We are supporting the electrification of the economy by developing new, more sustainable products, services and consumption models tailored to customer needs, particularly in the areas of mobility, industry and buildings.

Open innovation ecosystem

Iberdrola Innovation Centres, in the form of an international and interconnected network that fosters technological capabilities, collaboration and talent attraction to address the challenges of the energy sector from multiple perspectives.
Iberdrola Universities Programme (Ü), a commitment to knowledge and talent transfer among university students, scholarship holders, professors, researchers and Iberdrola employees, all sharing the same goal: to help shape the future of energy through innovative solutions.
PERSEO innovation programme, collaborating with startups and participating in, or creating, new companies to develop disruptive business models, promote collaboration and synergies, and encourage access to future technologies and businesses.
Promotion of partnerships and new business models for the electrification of the economy, involving all players in the electricity sector’s value chain.
Launch of innovative initiatives within associations and multidisciplinary working groups, in which we collaborate with our suppliers and other stakeholders in our innovation ecosystem.

Innovation culture

Skills development through continuous training, integrating innovation into all educational content and promoting the organisation and/or participation in events, courses, seminars and publications.
Intrapreneurship initiatives to promote internal talent, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit among Group employees, providing them with the necessary tools and resources.
Promotion of an innovative culture that permeates the entire organisation and fosters motivating work environments, encouraging and recognising new ideas, knowledge sharing and innovative practices both within the Group and in collaboration with the innovation ecosystem.