The shortage of electrical networks has become the biggest obstacle to the energy transition. To connect renewable energy sources – which are disseminated en masse, but are more widespread in the regionTo provide clean electricity to more consumers, Iberdrola has taken a step forward by launching a record tender for grid infrastructure in the UK. Through its subsidiary ScottishPower, the energy company has launched project contract opportunities Valued at £5,400 million (about €6,282 million) To modernize old electricity grid lines and prepare them to integrate and transfer new renewable capacities.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA)There are currently 3,000 gigawatts of capacity in renewable energy projects, Of which 1500 in advanced condition, which waits for network connection lines. In the face of this renewed boom, the International Energy Agency is urging companies and governments to double the world's 80 million km of electricity grids between now and 2040. Otherwise, the risk is global warming of more than 2 degrees Celsius, the OECD agency warns. Last October. The demand for electricity is expected to double over the next ten years. The IEA believes the UK needs more than 600,000 kilometers of new or improved power lines To meet your needs.
The design, development and modernization of new network infrastructure in the UK will involve the construction of New high voltage substations, installation of overhead lines, Beside Design, engineering and construction works. Jobs that will include creating green jobs in the coming decades.
the The contracts will cover the next ten years These include transport projects in central and southern Scotland. It will enable more green energy to be integrated across the country to help achieve a low carbon future, connecting between 80 and 85 gigawatts of clean renewable energy to the UK system. Reducing the country's dependence on fossil fuelsThe company stated.
In November, the UK government announced plans to do so Reduce the time it takes to build high-voltage power lines in half Reducing the time it takes to connect to the network. Its package of measures aims to support economic growth and consolidate the UK's position as one of the best countries in the world to invest in renewable energy.
he Scottish Power CEO Keith AndersonHe stressed that these investment plans will help develop energy networks, increase the workforce, and “will provide a great opportunity for the supply chain, while unleashing overall economic growth.”
He added: “It is important that we take seriously the work of building this new network so that we can harness green energy and transport it across the country and ensure our energy security to keep the UK a leader in decarbonisation.”
Iberdrola will invest approximately $14,000 million in the UK over four years
Last November, the energy company headed by Ignacio Sánchez Galán had already announced that it would strengthen its investment commitment to the United Kingdom, a strategic country for the group, in the coming years by up to a figure of 12,000 million pounds sterling (about 13,823 million euros). In the period 2024-2028.
Specifically, Iberdrola has confirmed an investment of £7,000 million (about €8,065 million) within that investment package in a “major push for ‘net zero’ and the renewable energy sector” in the country. British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, revealed this investment figure for the “Iberdrola” company in the country, during the World Investment Summit.
In 2023, the energy company has allocated more than 2,000 million pounds (more than 2,300 million euros), mainly for electrical networks and renewable energy projects. In the past 15 years, nearly 30 billion pounds (about 35 billion euros) have been invested in the country.
In its strategic plan 2023-2025, which anticipates a record investment plan of €47,000 million in that period, the UK was already the second major destination for Iberdrola investments, with 16% of the total -6,700 million pounds, the highest investment the company has made in the country – behind Only the United States – at 47% – and ahead of Spain (13%). The energy company will launch its new strategic plan on March 21.
Through Scottish Power, Iberdrola has more than 40 onshore wind farms and two offshore wind farms operating in the UK with a total installed capacity of more than 2,900MW. In addition, it is developing the East Anglia 3 offshore wind farm, the second largest in the world with investments of approximately £4 billion (about €4.6 billion).
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