Avangrid CEO José Antonio Miranda Speaks at U.S. Hispanic Chamber Energy Summit
Avangrid, Inc., a leading energy company and member of the Iberdrola Group, announced that its Chief Executive Officer, José Antonio Miranda, took part in a high-level discussion on energy affordability at the 2026 U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) Energy Summit, held from April 20 to 22 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The summit brought together senior energy executives, policymakers, regulators, and business leaders to address some of the most pressing challenges and opportunities shaping the future of the U.S. energy system.
During his participation, Miranda emphasized that large-scale infrastructure investment remains one of the most effective ways to address rising energy affordability concerns while simultaneously preparing the grid for long-term demand growth and decarbonization. He highlighted the importance of aligning public and private sector priorities to ensure that energy systems are not only reliable and sustainable but also economically accessible for households and businesses.
“Bold infrastructure investments are how we meet today’s affordability challenges while preparing for the energy needs of tomorrow,” said José Antonio Miranda, CEO of Avangrid. “Forums like the USHCC Energy Summit are critical to aligning priorities, sharing perspectives, and ensuring the energy future delivers real savings, reliability, and opportunity for the communities we serve.”
The USHCC Energy Summit, branded this year under the theme “Powering the Future of America’s Energy Economy,” served as a platform for in-depth discussions on energy policy, investment strategies, and workforce development. A key focus of the event was ensuring that energy transitions and infrastructure expansion efforts are inclusive, particularly for Hispanic communities and small business owners who play a vital role in the U.S. economy.
Sessions throughout the summit addressed topics such as energy affordability, grid modernization, resilience, and expanding access to opportunities within the energy supply chain for minority-owned and small businesses. Leaders also discussed how evolving energy markets and clean energy investments can be structured to support long-term economic mobility and community development.
Miranda participated in a mainstage panel titled “Energy Affordability Is Economic Mobility,” where speakers explored how energy pricing and infrastructure investment directly impact economic opportunity. The panel focused on how reducing energy costs can improve quality of life, support entrepreneurship, and strengthen local economies.
In his remarks, Miranda underscored Avangrid’s strategy of investing in long-term infrastructure projects designed to improve both affordability and reliability across the regions it serves. He pointed to the company’s diversified energy portfolio, which includes more than 11 gigawatts (GW) of power generation capacity across renewable and conventional energy assets. According to Miranda, these investments not only help stabilize energy supply but also generate significant local economic benefits through job creation, supply chain engagement, and regional development initiatives.
Avangrid has been actively involved in several large-scale infrastructure projects across the United States, including offshore wind and transmission initiatives that are intended to support the transition to a cleaner and more resilient energy system. Among its most prominent projects are the New England Clean Energy Connect (NECEC) and Vineyard Wind 1, both of which are expected to play a major role in reshaping energy supply in the northeastern United States.
The company noted that these projects are projected to deliver substantial long-term savings for consumers. In Massachusetts alone, NECEC and Vineyard Wind 1 are expected to reduce energy costs for homes and businesses by more than $6 billion over time by providing access to large-scale, reliable, and cleaner energy sources. These savings are particularly significant for communities facing higher-than-average energy burdens, including Hispanic populations that have historically experienced disproportionate energy cost impacts.
Beyond affordability, Avangrid emphasized that its investments are also designed to strengthen grid reliability and reduce dependence on more volatile energy sources. By expanding access to renewable energy and modernizing transmission infrastructure, the company aims to help ensure a more stable and resilient energy system capable of meeting growing demand.
Miranda also highlighted the broader economic impact of Avangrid’s operations, noting that the company works closely with local suppliers and contractors, helping to stimulate regional economies. Through its projects, Avangrid supports thousands of direct and indirect jobs across construction, engineering, operations, and maintenance roles. These opportunities, he said, are essential to ensuring that the benefits of the energy transition are widely shared.
The USHCC Energy Summit itself is a key gathering organized by the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, an organization dedicated to advancing the economic growth and success of Hispanic-owned businesses across the United States. The Chamber represents a network of more than 260 local chambers and business associations and works in partnership with over 100 major corporations to support entrepreneurship and small business development.
Hispanic-owned businesses are a rapidly growing segment of the U.S. economy, contributing more than $800 billion annually and numbering over five million nationwide. The Chamber’s mission is to ensure these businesses have access to the tools, capital, and policy support needed to thrive in an increasingly competitive global economy.
This year’s summit placed a strong emphasis on collaboration between the energy sector and Hispanic business communities, recognizing that inclusive economic growth is closely tied to equitable access to energy resources and opportunities within the clean energy transition.
Speakers throughout the event stressed that energy affordability is not only an infrastructure issue but also a social and economic one. Rising energy costs can disproportionately affect small businesses and low-income households, limiting growth and economic mobility. As a result, policymakers and industry leaders are increasingly focused on designing energy systems that balance sustainability, reliability, and affordability.
Avangrid’s participation in the summit reflects its broader commitment to stakeholder engagement and inclusive energy development. The company continues to position itself as a key player in the U.S. energy transition, leveraging its experience in renewable energy, grid infrastructure, and utility operations to support long-term national energy goals.
As discussions at the USHCC Energy Summit made clear, the future of the U.S. energy economy will depend on coordinated efforts across industry, government, and communities. Leaders like Miranda emphasized that achieving this future will require sustained investment, policy alignment, and a shared commitment to ensuring that energy systems deliver tangible benefits for all Americans.
Through its ongoing projects and strategic partnerships, Avangrid aims to remain at the forefront of these efforts, contributing to a more affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy future while supporting the economic development of the communities it serves.
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