Iberdrola’s Leadership at Davos Reinforces Its Global Role in the Energy Transition
Iberdrola‘s Executive Chairman, Ignacio Galán, concluded his participation in the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos with a busy schedule of meetings with business leaders and international policy makers, consolidating the company’s role as one of the major global players in the energy and electricity infrastructure sector.
Iberdrola once again demonstrated its growing influence in the global energy landscape during the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos, where its Executive Chairman, Ignacio Galán, played a highly active role in discussions shaping the future of the world economy and energy systems. Over several intense days, Galán engaged in a packed agenda of high-level meetings, bilateral encounters, and panel discussions, underscoring Iberdrola’s position as a strategic partner in the global dialogue on energy, infrastructure, competitiveness, and security.
Throughout the forum, Galán focused his interventions on the profound transformation underway in global energy systems. Central to these discussions was the rapid growth in electricity demand driven by electrification, digitalisation, artificial intelligence, and industrial transformation. He emphasised that meeting this demand requires not only increased generation capacity but also a significant strengthening of electricity networks, which he described as the backbone of modern economies and a decisive factor in ensuring energy security and competitiveness.
A key part of Galán’s agenda in Davos involved meetings with senior representatives from Qatar, reflecting Iberdrola’s interest in strengthening international partnerships and exploring new opportunities for economic and energy cooperation. During these meetings, Galán exchanged views with the Prime Minister of Qatar and the Chief Executive Officer of the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), focusing on long-term collaboration in energy infrastructure, investment frameworks, and the role of clean energy in sustainable economic development. These discussions highlighted the importance of cooperation between energy producers, investors, and infrastructure developers in navigating the global energy transition.
Galán also held conversations with influential figures from international politics and finance, including former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, who is currently Chairman of JP Morgan’s International Council. Their discussions centred on the geopolitical and economic challenges arising from the transformation of energy systems, particularly in a context of growing global uncertainty, shifting supply chains, and rising energy demand. Both leaders highlighted the need for coordinated action between governments and the private sector to ensure that the transition to cleaner energy systems supports economic growth and social stability.
At the European level, Iberdrola’s Executive Chairman took part in prominent forums such as those led by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. These sessions focused on Europe’s industrial competitiveness, energy autonomy, and the need to accelerate investment in strategic infrastructure. Galán reiterated Iberdrola’s commitment to supporting Europe’s energy objectives through large-scale investments in grids, renewables, and storage, while also stressing the importance of regulatory stability to unlock private capital.
Across the Atlantic, Galán engaged with senior officials from the United States administration, including US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. These meetings took place against the backdrop of Iberdrola’s significant and growing investment presence in the US, where the company has become one of the leading investors in electricity networks and renewable energy. Discussions addressed the modernisation of power grids, resilience in the face of extreme weather events, and the role of long-term infrastructure investment in supporting economic growth and job creation in the US.
In parallel, Galán maintained close contact with representatives of the Spanish government, including Carlos Cuerpo, Spain’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Business. These exchanges formed part of Spain’s broader institutional presence at Davos and focused on the country’s economic outlook, industrial strategy, and the role of Spanish multinationals in driving innovation and international investment.
Beyond bilateral meetings, Galán participated in a wide range of panels and multilateral sessions alongside business leaders and representatives of international organisations. In these forums, he addressed key themes such as the electrification of the economy, the need for predictable and stable regulatory frameworks, and the challenge of attracting large-scale private investment in infrastructure. He consistently highlighted that the success of the energy transition depends on close cooperation between policymakers, regulators, and companies capable of delivering complex projects at scale.
Through this comprehensive agenda, Iberdrola strengthened its visibility and influence at Davos as a leading voice in the global energy debate. The company’s active participation in the forum demonstrated its willingness to engage constructively with governments, investors, and international institutions to help shape solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
In his public interventions, Galán also took the opportunity to reflect on Iberdrola’s long-term vision and corporate trajectory. “To do important things, you need ambition, vision and capability,” he stated. “I believe we are in the right industry at the right time, and we have demonstrated throughout our 125 years that we are capable of achieving the goals we set out for ourselves.” His remarks reinforced the idea that Iberdrola’s current leadership position is the result of decades of strategic decisions rather than short-term trends.
Galán placed particular emphasis on the strategic shift Iberdrola made more than 20 years ago, when it decided to invest heavily in electricity networks, renewable generation, and energy storage. This early and sustained commitment to clean energy and infrastructure has enabled the Group to grow more than tenfold over the past two decades. Today, Iberdrola stands as the largest electricity company in Europe by market capitalisation and ranks among the two largest globally, with a market value exceeding €125 billion.
Looking ahead, Galán highlighted Iberdrola’s ambitious investment plans, which further underscore its confidence in the long-term fundamentals of the energy sector. The company has outlined planned investments of close to €60 billion over the next four years, with more than two-thirds allocated to the electricity grid business. These investments aim to support the electrification of transport, industry, and households, while enhancing system resilience and integrating increasing volumes of renewable energy.
However, Galán was clear that delivering these investments at the required scale will depend on the right policy and regulatory environment. He reiterated the need for stable, predictable, and incentivising frameworks that provide long-term visibility for investors. In his view, such frameworks are essential not only to mobilise capital but also to ensure that energy systems remain affordable, reliable, and secure for consumers and businesses alike.
Iberdrola’s presence at Davos ultimately reinforced its identity as a global infrastructure leader with a long-term vision. By combining industrial capability, financial strength, and a clear strategic focus on electrification and networks, the company positioned itself as a key partner for governments and institutions seeking to navigate the complexities of the energy transition. As discussions at the World Economic Forum made clear, electricity and energy infrastructure are no longer niche topics but central pillars of economic growth, competitiveness, and security—areas where Iberdrola intends to continue playing a leading role on the global stage.
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