--- description: Breaking news and analysis from time.com. Politics, world news, photos, video, tech reviews, health, science, and entertainment news. title: Iberdrola, a global leader in electrification. image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt166b7d8e29896c07/6a4b522e44440d1b2011a602/AEF6F54C74B04B4585726D95FFEE4970.jpeg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 --- # Iberdrola, a global leader in electrification.  As the world grapples with the dual crises of climate change and geopolitical uncertainty, the need to transition to renewable energy has become more urgent. At COP29 last year, leaders and stakeholders confronted this challenge head-on, setting ambitious goals to reshape the global energy landscape. For Gonzalo Saenz de Miera, Climate Change and Alliances Director at Iberdrola, a leader in global clean energy, grids and storage, this is not just a pivotal moment - it’s a race against time. In an exclusive interview with TIME, Saenz de Miera shares how the company is investing billions in building infrastructure, developing technologies, and forging alliances that are required to overcome these barriers. He explores the critical issues facing the energy transition and how Iberdrola is tackling them. “This is not just about the climate,” Saenz de Miera explains. “It’s about reshaping economies, creating jobs, and ensuring a just and sustainable future.” Despite the challenges of a divided geopolitical landscape, COP29 delivered noteworthy milestones including a $300 billion climate finance target by 2035 and an agreement on key aspects to implement Article 6 establishing a global carbon market. The Summit underscored the urgency of tripling renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency by 2030 - a target Saenz de Miera considers ambitious yet achievable. However, he noted that there are significant barriers, namely the gaps in terms of robust energy infrastructure (networks and energy storage) and the insufficient progress in the electrification of the economy that is essential to scaling renewable energy globally. “For every million dollars invested in renewables, we need another million invested in networks,” he stressed. These investments are not just environmental imperative but also economic opportunities, fostering job creation, energy independence, and industrial competitiveness. Saenz de Miera highlighted two primary drivers behind the recent momentum in climate action: supportive policies and a technological revolution in clean solutions. Over the past decade, global policies have increasingly aligned with climate goals, fostering investments in renewable energy, electric vehicles, and energy storage. Simultaneously, advancements in clean technologies such as heat pumps and batteries have made decarbonization more feasible and competitive. However, the speed of deployment remains a critical challenge. “We don’t have much time,” he said. “An accelerated action is needed well before 2030, and that requires enabling policies - streamlined permitting processes, tax schemes aligned with renewables, and planning frameworks that anticipate future demands.” The International Energy Agency (IEA) reports that 80% of decarbonization solutions are technologically viable today. Saenz de Miera predicts that as the impacts of climate change become more visible, an unstoppable social movement will push governments and corporations to act with urgency and further propel the transition. As one of the world’s largest renewable energy companies, Iberdrola has committed [€41 billion ](https://jadserve.postrelease.com/trk?ntv%5Fat=4&ntv%5Fui=db7a1792-2be1-4b9f-9a1f-08ad5da63fcd&ntv%5Fa=EbQJAhJ1uAZxkRA&ntv%5Ffl=XhRPSr9c-FGlAMLKvJ36mUEyOxlRmjE1R5a-Ev8ZN67mNpjdZ8V8ItPq7j%5FDiepeOWztLWrSwn%5FzrZQNTkjT27t9xt6XP%5FrYr4Tq7qzntEcUxSBGchyWH0Ik5X012S-TZuUaIoeRbsQTNWsFY2x9RG0UAK12SeDtnfxYRuLynazrMNlLsCg9AcTBuaZpkz7XGQWbVHz2dVssPnhFh2cn-oBYZtTzMxOzcYxRbtAl9K6i2da3sc0Sehkfd2uigArER3hzGtN0mx0gjG1fEz6lPH5Jmt2%5FapDlKHoMjnwgZBVQYKc7PqDIIath-DSzZzEQo1gSiYVmc9VYwgYfnpDUK7l1n4pXAu9j%5FmELjvK1LKdSY3aQNcP6u31rniIgUQPj9mq1zzGzA215DnSZMNmpOcTbJLnYm06o%5FtgiS9e3lyGuYGkOVWTgx7NXTC%5FG3JQtYoqlePkYG7owaUHmUORqut3-YITfIGVHyaEcNfq9c3mkdabrocmGO7a6vIPNsVgf&ord=-302959530&ntv%5Fht=r4QIagA&prx%5Fr=https://www.iberdrola.com/about-us/iberdrola-strategic-plan "undefined")to its 2024–2026 strategic plan. The focus: expanding renewable capacity and upgrading grid infrastructure. Of this investment, €21.5 billion will be directed toward grids in key markets, including the U.S., U.K., Brazil, and Spain, while €16 billion will fund renewable energy projects. For Iberdrola, electrification is the linchpin of decarbonization. “Electricity accounts for just 25% of global energy consumption,” Saenz de Miera noted. “To meet climate targets, we must electrify transport, industry, and buildings — sectors that still rely heavily on fossil fuels.” Iberdrola’s initiatives, such as the [Q Cero Alliance](https://jadserve.postrelease.com/trk?ntv%5Fat=4&ntv%5Fui=db7a1792-2be1-4b9f-9a1f-08ad5da63fcd&ntv%5Fa=EbQJAhJ1uAZxkRA&ntv%5Ffl=XhRPSr9c-FGlAMLKvJ36mUEyOxlRmjE1R5a-Ev8ZN67mNpjdZ8V8ItPq7j%5FDiepeOWztLWrSwn%5FzrZQNTkjT27t9xt6XP%5FrYr4Tq7qzntEcUxSBGchyWH0Ik5X012S-TZuUaIoeRbsQTNWsFY2x9RG0UAK12SeDtnfxYRuLynazrMNlLsCg9AcTBuaZpkz7XGQWbVHz2dVssPnhFh2cn-oBYZtTzMxOzcYxRbtAl9K6i2da3sc0Sehkfd2uigArER3hzGtN0mx0gjG1fEz6lPH5Jmt2%5FapDlKHoMjnwgZBVQYKc7PqDIIath-DSzZzEQo1gSiYVmc9VYwgYfnpDUK7l1n4pXAu9j%5FmELjvK1LKdSY3aQNcP6u31rniIgUQPj9mq1zzGzA215DnSZMNmpOcTbJLnYm06o%5FtgiS9e3lyGuYGkOVWTgx7NXTC%5FG3JQtYoqlePkYG7owaUHmUORqut3-YITfIGVHyaEcNfq9c3mkdabrocmGO7a6vIPNsVgf&ord=-302959530&ntv%5Fht=r4QIagA&prx%5Fr=https://alianzaqcero.es/ "undefined"), exemplify its collaborative approach. Launched in early 2024, the alliance brings together over 90 companies to address decarbonization challenges across industries like steel and chemicals. “This is not just a technological shift – it’s a systemic change,” he said.  Beyond technology and investment, Iberdrola integrates social and ecological considerations into its projects. The company’s biodiversity plan aims for a net-positive impact by 2030, ensuring that renewable energy deployment coexists harmoniously with nature. The "Convive Plan" prioritizes socioeconomic development in local communities near renewable sites, fostering partnerships with experts, and protecting and enhancing biodiversity. Saenz de Miera emphasized that a just energy transition requires proactive engagement. “We have to ensure that local communities see tangible benefits – jobs, infrastructure, and economic opportunities,” he explains. Without this, he warns that social opposition could hinder progress. A significant hurdle is ensuring sufficient grid capacity to accommodate the surge in renewable projects as developing this infrastructure requires anticipatory planning and international cooperation. Furthermore, policy certainty is crucial to attract private investment and maintain momentum. “Uncertainty favors incumbents,” Saenz de Miera noted, emphasizing the need for clear, long-term policies. “This is a race,” Saenz de Miera acknowledged. “But is it not about leading - it’s about ensuring no one is left behind.” He called for policy certainty in Europe to prevent losing ground to countries with more aggressive strategies. As COP30 approaches later this year, Saenz de Miera is both hopeful and realistic. He anticipates further progress on NDCs, technology deployment, and social momentum. Yet, he stressed the need for acceleration. For Saenz de Miera, the fight against climate change is both a professional mission and a personal passion. “I feel fortunate to work in a company that aligns with societal interests,” he shared, emphasizing the critical role of firms in driving change. For Iberdrola, the path forward is clear: continued investment, collaboration, and leadership. Saenz de Miera believes that companies like Iberdrola have a responsibility to drive change, not just for the climate but for society as a whole. “An ambitious approach towards green transition is good for jobs, energy independence, and economic growth,” he concluded. “And when aligned with social interest, it’s a win for everyone.” The journey to decarbonize the global economy is fraught with challenges, but it also presents unparalleled opportunities to create a cleaner, more resilient world. As Saenz de Miera aptly concludes, “This energy transition will happen. The question is how fast we can make it a reality.” Iberdrola, a global leader in electrification. ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/branded-content/iberdrola/iberdrola-a-global-leader-in-electrification/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/branded-content/iberdrola/iberdrola-a-global-leader-in-electrification/"},"headline":"Iberdrola, a global leader in electrification.","datePublished":"2026-06-18T14:28:22.225Z","dateModified":"2026-05-26T17:31:03.506Z","description":"","url":"https://time.com/branded-content/iberdrola/iberdrola-a-global-leader-in-electrification/","keywords":[],"thumbnailUrl":"","author":[],"articleSection":"","image":[],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/branded-content/iberdrola/iberdrola-a-global-leader-in-electrification/","name":"Iberdrola, a global leader in electrification."}}]}] ```