* Author: Gonzalo Sáenz de Miera *
Action speaks louder than words. And for over a hundred years now, Iberdrola, the world’s wind energy leader, has been promoting clean and sustainable energy sources; since the beginning of the 20th century, when the company pioneered hydroelectric power in Spain, until today, with over 72% of its installed capacity and 83% of its energy production in Spain emissions free.
The company operates over 200 wind farms in Spain and 330 such facilities worldwide. It has a 2,500 strong team exclusively dedicated to renewable energy operations, of which 800 people are based in Spain. With over €25 billion spent towards developing economically sustainable renewable energy, it is the largest investment in clean energy by a single utility in history. These are indeed Iberdrola’s public and audited figures.
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I would also like to remind readers that in the first quarter of 2013 more than half of the company’s electricity production in Spain came from hydro and wind, a share that will continue to grow as newly developed wind farms and hydro power plants are connected to the grid and old thermal power plants are decommissioned.
Iberdrola does not operate any fuel oil power plants in Spain anymore and has, in fact, been granted planning permission to shut down three thermal power units. Last week, Santo Estevo 2, a hydroelectric power plant, was inaugurated in Galicia (Spain) and a new hydroelectric plant, La Muela 2 in Valencia, is scheduled to begin operations later in the year. In 2012, 400 MW wind capacity worldwide was energized, of which 130 MW in Spain.
Together with a supply chain of more than 15,000 companies, Iberdrola has built and continues to develop clean energy projects throughout the world, becoming an engine for economic growth, particularly in rural areas.
In many instances, this commitment to renewables was the target of criticism, as it happened throughout the past decade of strong wind energy growth in Spain. But our leadership spearheading sustainable energy was acknowledged, not just in Spain but also by the industry at large.
Our criticism of remuneration systems that only generate market speculation against consumer interest cannot be confused with our staunch support to renewable technologies that are economically and environmentally sustainable. Furthermore, market bubbles result in regulatory uncertainty and a tarnished image for the renewables industry.
We should not forget that one of the pillars for future growth is offshore wind, and Iberdrola will soon become the first Spanish company to bring an offshore wind farm to commercial operation, the West of Duddon Sands facility in UK waters. In addition, the company is supporting R&D&I with €145 million invested in efficient and sustainable technology start-up projects in 2012 alone.
I could provide more data to support our commitment to sustainability, which is far superior to that of most of our global competitors. The company’s emissions intensity is 30% below the European average; as a result, the Dow Jones Sustainability Index has identified Iberdrola as the top company in the utilities supersector for 2012-2013 and the world’s only electricity utility to have been rated by the DJSI since its first edition.
Inevitably, we are committed to the fight against climate change and have implemented concrete actions: we have joined the Biodiversity Pact; our Integrated Environmental Management System allows us to reduce environmental risks; we have implemented numerous environmental policies throughout the Group and have obtained international recognition in this field.
But we realise that we can’t stop at that. Therefore, we have undertaken the commitment of ensuring that by 2020 our emissions per kilowatt hour are 30% below 2007 levels and 20% below European average.
In parallel, Iberdrola has always supported the progressive integration of renewable technologies to the system, as they mature and become economically sustainable.
Undoubtedly, we must continue to advance a more sustainable energy model, with less polluting emissions and cleaner technologies, but always taking into account economic efficiency. You can rest assured that Iberdrola will follow that path, as it has done throughout its more than 100 year history.
