The Japanese electricity company Kansai has reached an agreement with Iberdrola to expand its global strategic partnership. Toru Kuwahara, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Kansai's international business division, and Ignacio Sánchez Galán, Executive Chairman of Iberdrola, signed a new memorandum of collaboration this month (pictured).

The aim of the new agreement is to seek collaboration and investment opportunities in various technologies and regions to accelerate electrification worldwide. The main focus will be on renewable energy, as well as electricity transmission and distribution. Both companies thereby aim to leverage their strengths and accelerate the development of their global business.

World electricity market
Kansai highlights Iberdrola's role in the renewable energy industry and its position in the global electricity market, with a presence in around 30 countries, from Spain, where it has its headquarters, to leading subsidiaries, such as those in the United Kingdom, the United States, Mexico and Brazil.

The two companies are partners in the Electricity North West (ENW) group, which operates in the UK distribution business, and in the Windanker offshore wind farm project, in which the Spanish company will be responsible for operation and maintenance when it comes on stream in the last quarter of 2026.

Carbon neutrality
The Japanese company aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 across all its business operations. To do this, it is working to expand renewable energy sources and improve energy efficiency.

Iberdrola has signed other important agreements that not only pursue its own growth but also the promotion of decarbonisation around the world. These include the one signed with Norges Bank in January 2023 to co-invest in renewables, with the aim of reaching a capacity of 2,500 MWp. In March of the same year, it launched a joint venture with BP to roll out 11,700 rapid-charging points in Spain and Portugal.

In addition, the two companies have formed a 50/50 joint venture to develop a green hydrogen project which, with a capacity of 25 MW, will be the largest plant in Spain in this industry.

^{Photo: Kansai}