News
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04/11/2021Galán to Al Gore: "There is an urgent need to act against climate change. There is no time left and it is a job for everyone" Urgent, urgent, urgent. That was the message from Iberdrola's chairman, Ignacio Galán, to Al Gore, former vice-president of the United States, and a Nobel Prize winner who has long warned about the consequences of climate change, during a meeting held this morning in the context of COP26. Galán stressed the need to take urgent action against climate change: “We must do everything we can in this decade, we must be very ambitious and the time to do it is now. There is no time left and it is a job for everyone. We must strengthen the work done in recent years to create wellbeing and jobs for citizens". At the Climate Summit Conference focused on Accelerating the Global Transition to Clean Energy, the chairman of Iberdrola stressed the need to "shut down coal permanently and demolish the power plants. Otherwise, whenever there is a short-term problem, there will always be the temptation to start them up again. There is no place for coal in a modern energy system". Galán said “we must put all our resources into zero-carbon technologies, not into technologies that will have a short life span. We must not think low-carbon, but zero-carbon. And we must do this by taking the social dimension of the transition into account in our analysis. Otherwise, we will have failed,” he added. READ MORE
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04/11/2021Ignacio Galán: "We must act together against climate change" The chairman of Iberdrola, Ignacio Galán, took part in the Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA) event this morning. The coalition of governments and companies was set up in 2017 to promote policies and investment plans aimed at phasing out of coal as a source of energy to progress with the implementation of clean energies. On behalf of Iberdrola, he has signed an International Declaration calling for the abolition of this raw material, in line with this year's United Nations Climate Change Conference, on the understanding that this measure is fundamental to advancing in the commitment to keep global warming on the planet to a maximum of 1.5 degrees. Iberdrola is a pioneer in the energy transition and was one of the first companies to join the Powering Past Coal Alliance, a decarbonisation commitment that will facilitate the shift from using fossil fuels to renewables. In this regard, Galán says that this is a crucial moment for the planet, which has its sights set on 2050 when greenhouse gas emissions must have been reduced to zero. The target is to reduce these emissions by 45% within the next ten years. The chairman insisted on the obligation to work together to phase out coal-fired power plants immediately and replace them with renewable electricity to protect the planet. The company is a trail-blazer on the road to sustainability, having advocated for renewable energies for the last 20 years. Along the way, Iberdrola has closed 17 coal and oil-fired power plants and has invested around €120 bn in clean energies, smart networks and digitalisation, reaching 35 GW of installed renewable energies. Similarly, Iberdrola is planning to invest €155 bn during the next ten years, with the goal of achieving zero emissions in 2030, 20 years ahead of the goal set for the EU. The Iberdrola business model, which has increased six-fold, shows that the fight against climate change is entirely compatible with value creation for its shareholders, employees and society at large. The company is currently the world leader in renewable energies, supplying energy to more than 100 million people around the world. However, according to the chairman, the decarbonisation undertakings that will emerge from the COP26 will only be viable if governments provide a stable, coherent and predictable regulatory framework with legal security. The objective is that clean energy development is not affected by temporary problems of the type currently occurring with rising gas prices, which is causing some companies to lose their way and go back to coal. In his opinion, other measures should be added to these stable rules, such as the immediate suspension of fossil fuel subsidies, or providing price signals under the "polluter pays" principle, but above all, Sánchez Galán insisted on the need to put an end to the bureaucracy that prevents green projects from being approved quickly. Supporting decarbonisation in Spain Iberdrola is making progress with its national decarbonisation strategy in line with a green transformation plan linked to the orderly closure of its power plants, such as those in Velilla (Palencia) and Lada (Asturias). These plants include investments in renewables, the creation of citizen platforms, circular economy projects and stimulation of business and local jobs using green principles, innovation and support for local entrepreneurship. READ MORE
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03/11/2021Norway: Iberdrola, TotalEnergies and Norsk Havvind join forces for offshore wind development Iberdrola, TotalEnergies, and Norsk Havvind have joined forces to respond to the Norwegian authorities' call for tenders for the development of floating and bottom-fixed wind projects for a cumulated capacity of 4.5 GW at two offshore sites in southern Norway. The consortium will leverage in its offer the proven technical expertise of its members in both bottom fixed and floating offshore wind, as well as its in-depth knowledge of the challenges, territories and stakeholders in Norway. Besides, on successful award, the consortium will focus on strengthening the local industrial competencies and ensuring the successful development of the Norwegian offshore wind supply chain. “This agreement in Norway fits with Iberdrola's strategy to consolidate its position as the world's largest renewable energy company and builds on previous transactions and investments in offshore wind carried out by the company in recent years. We see very good long-term potential for offshore wind projects in the Norwegian market and are determined to strengthen skills and the supply chain in the North Sea offshore wind industry,” said David Rowland, Offshore Wind Business Development Director at Iberdrola. "Investing in energy projects in Norway and the North Sea has been at the heart of TotalEnergies' history for several decades, especially in developing the offshore industry. As a global multi-energy company, TotalEnergies is therefore delighted to join forces with Iberdrola and Norsk Havvind to develop Norway's great offshore wind potential”. said Olivier Terneaud, VP offshore wind at TotalEnergies. “The energy transition is gathering speed and Norway, with its world-class wind resources, is a great place to invest in new energy”. “Together with our partners Iberdrola and TotalEnergies we will work hard to develop the Norwegian offshore wind industry, reduce emissions and create new jobs for the Norwegian supply chain”, said Peder Sortland, CEO at Norsk Havvind. READ MORE
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03/11/2021Iberdrola tops the OpenODS Index Once again, Iberdrola's commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) has been recognised. The company has been selected as a benchmark organisation by the OpenODS Index, the first platform that classifies enterprises by their transparency and compliance with sustainable development goals. Iberdrola tops the ranking, of a total of 35 Spanish companies - the same companies that make up Spain's leading stock market index - Ibex 35 - with the highest scores in all three phases relating to implementation of the 2030 Agenda in the OpenODS System: alignment, localisation and implementation and monitoring. The openODS Index platform offers a global audience the first digital node where any public or private organisation, large or small, can report on its progress in complying with the Sustainable Development Goals. Iberdrola, committed to the SDG Iberdrola has incorporated the United Nations 2030 Agenda Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into its business strategy and Sustainability Policy. In the certainty that the recovery of the economy and jobs must be a green recovery, Iberdrola advocates for driving the transition toward a new socioeconomic model that is climate neutral, resilient, sustainable and inclusive. That is why, aligned with its activity, the group is mainly focused on SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy) and SDG 13 (climate action). These efforts have made Iberdrola the world's leading wind power producer and a global leader in the renewables sector, having invested more than €120 bn in the last 20 years. Iberdrola is ahead of the game in the current energy transition and is an international benchmark in the fight against climate change, aiming to become carbon neutral between now and 2050. To achieve this it proposes accelerating its investments in renewable energy, digitalisation and electric mobility, contributing directly to SDG 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure). The company has announced a historic investment plan worth 75 billion euros up to 2025, now extended to 150 billion until 2030, focusing mainly on renewables and smart grids. The company also makes an indirect contribution to all the other Sustainable Development Goals. The Group's contribution to the social and economic development of the communities in which it operates and to protecting the environment is articulated through its sustainable energy business model. In this regard, it has made record investments to help to reactivate the economy and employment and intends recruiting 20,000 staff between 2020 and 2025. Globally speaking, the company's activity helps to support 400,000 jobs, which will rise to around 500,000 by 2025. READ MORE
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02/11/2021Ignacio Galán: "Iberdrola's long-term strategy is fully aligned with the Paris Agreement's most ambitious scenarios" The Climate Summit (COP) will meet until 12 November in Glasgow, attended by representatives of most governments, experts, non-governmental organisations and executives from major multinational companies to tackle mankind's greatest challenge: climate change. The chairman of the Iberdrola Group, Ignacio Galán, who has taken part in all the COPs held since 2009, has an active role in this United Nations event, "a milestone for demonstrating our commitment after more than 20 years of decarbonisation", with an investment of more than 120 bn euros. "Iberdrola's long-term strategy is fully aligned with the Paris Agreement's most ambitious scenarios; with the largest investment in renewable energies, networks, storage, green hydrogen and electrification solutions for sectors like transport and industry", Galán explains. The chairman of the Iberdrola group is urging all agents, countries and sectors to act during the coming decade, which will be crucial. "Together, we can make a real difference", he says. Click here to watch the video . READ MORE
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02/11/2021Iberdrola will plant more than 20 million trees to combat climate change Iberdrola played a leading role in a seminar on reforestation at the Glasgow summit by announcing that it will plant more than 20 million trees. The programme is one of the most important actions presented by a private company at this international forum. This significant commitment, through the Trees Programme, will absorb more than six million tonnes of carbon over 30 years and will cover an area the size of 25,000 football fields. The CO2 sequestered by these trees will neutralise the equivalent emissions of a car circumnavigating the planet 116 times. The Iberdrola Trees Programme is aligned with the United Nations 2030 Agenda Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 15). The initiative is part of Iberdrola's commitment to conserve ecosystems and biodiversity and to decarbonise to fight climate change. Planting these trees will enable the company to balance emissions and sequestration by 2030. The company's pioneering action makes it a leader in global efforts to reverse the buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. In 2020 alone, the utility planted more than 786,000 trees and, in the last ten years, it has carried out mitigation and volunteering actions that have led to the planting of 4.12 million trees around the world. Iberdrola is contributing to this goal in collaboration with innovative companies like CO2 Revolution, with its revolutionary reforestation system based on selective sowing with drones and smart seeds. The species planted are native trees and shrubs. The company will continue to lead the march toward a sustainable economy and global decarbonisation. Massive investment in renewable energies, 120 billion since 2001, has made Iberdrola Europe's second-most-sustainable energy company and far and away the number one in Spain. What's more, the launch of numerous 'green' projects keeps the company at the forefront of reforestation initiatives and carbon emissions reduction, while protecting ecosystems and helping to conserve biodiversity in its areas of influence. READ MORE
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01/11/2021Iberdrola ratifies its commitment to the sustainable future of the planet Iberdrola continues to champion the fight against climate change, now with a renewed commitment to the Climate Summit, the main stage for dialogue, from which political guidelines on this subject will emerge. The company will have a prominent role at COP26, which will be held until 12 November in Glasgow, Scotland, in clear alignment with its new challenges for the future: to redouble its renewable objectives and stay on the front line of clean energy production. In this regard, Iberdrola will increase investment until 2025 to reach €75 bn, with a view to doubling this figure by reaching €150 bn by 2030. More than half of this sum will be allocated to renewable energies. By 2025, the utility is expected to have completed its goal of doubling its renewable energy capacity to 60 GW installed, a milestone it will surpass by 2030, reaching a total of 95 GW. The plan will give enormous impetus to offshore wind technology, with 4 GW in 2025, and at the same time, it will grow in solar photovoltaic production, with expectations for 16 GW installed, also cementing its leadership in onshore wind, with 26 GW and 14 GW in both traditional hydroelectric and storage. COP26, time to take action The COP26 climate change conference this year will focus on the need to keep the global temperature increase below 1.5 degrees centigrade, a goal that requires abandoning coal as a source of energy and focusing on green energy production. In line with this international roadmap, Iberdrola will once again play a leading role in the fight against climate change, having committed to reducing its emissions intensity to 50 g carbon dioxide per kilowatt hour produced globally by 2030, achieving an 86 % reduction in just three decades, with the goal of becoming carbon neutral at European level by 2030 - 20 years ahead of EU targets - and globally by 2050. It should be noted that Iberdrola now generates 100 % of its energy with zero emissions in countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany and Portugal. Since 2001, the company has decommissioned 17 coal-fired and oil-fired power plants in its efforts to accelerate investment in renewable energies, digitalisation and electric mobility to drive economic recovery and employment, in total alignment with the objectives of COP26. Therefore, Iberdrola's own emission-free installed capacity ratio stands at 80 %. The group is also already working to develop Europe's largest green hydrogen plant for industrial use, demonstrating its commitment to the global climate agenda, promoting reindustrialisation and providing solutions for heavy transport or high temperature industries. The Spanish electricity company is a world leader in green energy production and is one of the main sponsors of COP26. READ MORE
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28/10/2021The demolition at the Velilla thermal power plant is a giant step towards a greener, more competitive and sustainable economy At 16.05, the cooling tower at the Valilla del Río Carrión thermal power plant in Palencia was demolished as part of the dismantling work, 56 years after it was commissioned and 15 months after closure. The step was ordered at the end of 2017. The controlled explosion was a symbolic moment in our country's transformation into a green, competitive, sustainable economy. Since 2001, Iberdrola has closed 17 thermal coal and fuel oil fired power plants around the world, most recently in Velilla and Lada in Spain. Positioned as a leader in the fight against climate change in the countdown to COP26, the company is the world's largest coal-free electricity utility and is firmly committed to achieving emissions neutrality by 2030 in Europe. Velilla was demolished under safe conditions with only minimal environmental impact. The one-hundred-metre high tower, which weighed more than 7,000 tonnes, was demolished using 82 kg of explosives and was electronically detonated. The demolition technique used is one of the most efficient for dismantling power plants. It reduces the risk to workers, encourages the circular economy and helps to reduce the environmental impact. The concrete and metal structure will be recycled. Five-second collapse and pre-emptive evacuation Following the explosion, the cooling tower fell in on itself vertically with a slight tilt to the north, it did not fall over, this enabled the debris to be contained on the opposite side of the river from the main plant. Following stability calculations, work to weaken the tower was carried out and, on detonation, the explosive charges fragmented the supporting pillars, causing the tower to lose its balance and collapse under its own weight. It took just five seconds for the structure to collapse after the explosion. The isolated location of the power plant and of the cooling tower on the site posed no threats to other buildings, although everything took place under tight security and Velilla del Río Carrión Town Council and other competent authorities were notified. Workers checked for bird nests and other animals and the area was evacuated temporarily, leaving a safety perimeter of 250 metres. Highly qualified suppliers and professionals The cooling tower was demolished as part of the dismantling of the entire power plant, a process that is now 35% complete and that will continue for another 48 months. The work is involving a large number of suppliers -many local and with a higher workload than during the operation of the power plant- and around 50 professionals. Nearly half come from central and local contractors; they are highly qualified workers with extensive experience with this type of technically complex project. Green transformation of the area Investments in 100% renewable projects, stimulation of the business sector and local employment based on green principles and innovation and support for entrepreneurship are the ways in which Iberdrola is transforming the Velilla del Río Carrión region. The company has a renewables plan in Castilla y León for the coming years that includes the installation of 1,800 MW of both wind and photovoltaic renewable energy, with a planned investment of 1.3 billion euros. In Velilla it is building one of the region's and Spain's largest photovoltaic complexes (350-400 MW) with an investment of 300 million euros. Iberdrola is the leader in renewable energy in the region, operating 5,200 MW, making this the autonomous region where the company has installed the most green megawatts. The project to transform Velilla also includes investments in smart grids and sustainable mobility, circular economy projects and a Citizen Innovation Platform to encourage entrepreneurship. Pioneers in the energy transition At the end of 2017, Iberdrola requested authorisation to close its last remaining thermal power stations in the world, located in Velilla (Palencia) and Lada (Asturias), following its decision to replace CO2 emitting facilities with the latest generation clean energy sources, thereby leading the energy transition towards a new sustainable energy model. Iberdrola continues to make progress with its sustainability strategy, based on the electrification of the economy and oriented towards the fight against climate change and the creation of wealth and employment in the communities in which it operates. The company is a leader in green, sustainable financing, with 35.8 million euros and is the global leader in green bond emissions. Its CO2 emissions as of September have been reduced to 53 g/kWh and it maintains its goal of becoming an emission-neutral company by 2030 in Europe. In the last two decades, the company has invested 120 billion euros in renewable energies, smart grids and energy storage. An investment plan to 2030 worth 150 billion euros will triple its renewable capacity to almost 100,000 MW. READ MORE
