Iberdrola Showcases 150+ AI Use Cases at Its 11th Digital Summit, Reinforcing Its Leadership in Responsible Innovation
The corporate campus of Iberdrola in San Agustín del Guadalix, located just outside Madrid, became a hub of innovation and dialogue on digital transformation as it hosted the 11th edition of the company’s renowned Digital Summit. This annual event has evolved into one of the most important platforms within the company for fostering a culture of digital innovation, showcasing strategic projects, and encouraging a spirit of continuous learning and collaboration among employees.
In 2025, the central theme of the event was especially timely and impactful: “AI Momentum.” This theme reflected both the rapid global advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) and Iberdrola’s own accelerated efforts to embed this transformative technology across its business operations. Over the course of the summit, the company presented more than 150 concrete use cases of AI in action — spanning energy generation, electricity distribution, environmental protection, and customer service — underscoring its position as a leader in the responsible deployment of AI within the global energy sector.
A Gathering of Industry Thought Leaders
The summit brought together an impressive roster of industry experts and cross-sector leaders. In addition to Iberdrola’s internal teams, external speakers from top organizations such as Esade, EY, Accenture, Ecoembes, Dyc, Caixabank, Enatic, Holcim, and OHLA contributed their insights. These professionals offered diverse perspectives on the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, particularly in terms of innovation, ethical use, legal frameworks, and real-world business applications.
Panel discussions and keynote presentations delved into how AI is transforming industries and reshaping the way businesses solve problems. By extending the conversation beyond the energy sector, Iberdrola emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and collective responsibility in the development and regulation of emerging technologies.
Over a Decade of AI Implementation
While AI has only recently become a dominant topic in public discourse, Iberdrola has been working with artificial intelligence for more than a decade. Its journey with AI began with the application of predictive analytics and process optimization techniques. Over time, these early applications expanded into sophisticated machine learning models and advanced data-driven decision-making systems.
Today, AI is an integral component of Iberdrola’s strategy to improve efficiency, enhance reliability, and support its commitment to sustainability and customer satisfaction. In Spain alone, the company has implemented numerous AI-driven solutions, particularly in its renewable energy operations and electricity grid infrastructure.
Revolutionizing Renewable Energy Through AI
One of the most impactful areas of AI integration has been in clean energy generation, especially in the wind and solar sectors. AI systems are employed throughout the entire lifecycle of a renewable energy project — from the planning phase through to day-to-day operations.
During the project design stage, AI models analyze vast datasets to identify optimal locations for wind turbines or solar panels. This includes analyzing weather patterns, geographical features, and energy demand forecasts to determine the most effective deployment strategies. Once operational, these installations use AI-powered algorithms to monitor performance and predict maintenance needs, identifying potential faults before they occur. This proactive maintenance helps reduce downtime, extend equipment life, and ensure maximum energy output.
Moreover, AI is used to predict hourly wind and solar energy production at an incredibly granular level — even down to the individual turbine or solar panel. These forecasts are essential for energy grid integration and market trading, improving grid reliability and maximizing the economic value of renewable resources.
One particularly innovative use of AI is in environmental protection. Iberdrola has implemented AI systems that can detect the presence of birds within a five-kilometer radius of a wind farm. If a risk is identified, the system can automatically shut down specific turbines to prevent harm to wildlife, balancing renewable energy development with biodiversity conservation.
Transforming Electricity Grids With Intelligent Solutions
In the realm of electricity transmission and distribution, Iberdrola has deployed AI to deliver more responsive, resilient, and efficient grid operations. One standout innovation is an AI-based algorithm that estimates outage recovery times with high accuracy, providing real-time updates to customers during service disruptions. This improves customer communication and strengthens public trust.
AI is also used to evaluate the condition of the grid and plan preventive maintenance. By analyzing over 100 variables and six years of historical data, the system can predict which transformers or grid segments are likely to require partial replacements in the near future. This allows Iberdrola’s technical teams to prioritize and schedule work more effectively, reducing costs and minimizing service interruptions.
Another innovative use of AI involves the strategic placement of backup batteries to ensure grid stability during outages. Using simulations and predictive models, Iberdrola can identify areas where batteries will have the greatest impact on reliability and performance.
Satellite data and AI-powered image recognition technologies are also helping Iberdrola maintain the safety and efficiency of its grid infrastructure. These systems are used to measure vegetation growth near power lines, estimate trimming needs, and verify the effectiveness of maintenance work, all while minimizing the need for in-person inspections.
Commitment to Responsible AI Development
While Iberdrola is clearly at the forefront of AI integration, the company is equally committed to ensuring that its use of artificial intelligence is ethical, transparent, and compliant with emerging regulations.
In September 2024, Iberdrola formally joined the European Commission’s AI Pact, a voluntary initiative that promotes the responsible and ethical use of AI in accordance with the EU’s forthcoming AI Act. This aligns with Iberdrola’s long-standing efforts to adopt ethical standards even before legal mandates come into effect.
To support this commitment, Iberdrola developed and approved a corporate Artificial Intelligence Policy, which includes clear governance structures, model registration procedures, and mandatory risk assessments. This policy is designed to ensure that AI solutions align with both the company’s values and a common global ethical framework.
A cornerstone of this policy is Iberdrola’s Global AI Centre, established two years ago. The center functions as an internal think tank and innovation lab, dedicated to promoting secure AI deployment, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and embedding responsible AI principles into every business unit.
Achieving AI Certification: A First in the Sector
In February 2025, Iberdrola reached a significant milestone by becoming the first company to receive AENOR certification for its Artificial Intelligence Management System (SGIA), based on the international standard ISO/IEC 42001. This rigorous certification confirms the proper implementation, governance, and monitoring of AI systems across Iberdrola’s business units.
Specifically, the certification applies to Iberdrola Clientes and Iberdrola Energía España, affirming that both companies manage AI in a way that promotes innovation, efficiency, and ethical conduct. The recognition from AENOR not only strengthens Iberdrola’s credibility but also sets a benchmark for other organizations aiming to responsibly adopt AI technologies.
Paving the Way for a Smarter, Greener Future
The 11th Digital Summit was more than a showcase of technological capability — it was a call to action for Iberdrola’s employees, partners, and stakeholders. By demonstrating how AI can be leveraged responsibly to transform energy systems, protect the environment, and serve customers better, the company reaffirmed its mission to lead the energy transition.
Iberdrola’s vision of digital transformation is rooted in the belief that innovation and ethics must go hand in hand. As the world navigates the promise and complexity of AI, Iberdrola is committed to ensuring that technology serves people, communities, and the planet — not the other way around.
