The United States is a country of vast geographic and environmental diversity—spanning coastlines, plains, mountains, and deserts. This rich natural landscape supports a wide range of climates and ecosystems. However, with that diversity comes vulnerability. Shifts in weather patterns, prolonged droughts, and extreme events present growing challenges across many American regions.
Recent findings from the National Climate Assessment, a scientific report reviewed by multiple federal agencies, indicate that temperatures across the U.S. have been rising in recent decades, affecting natural systems, infrastructure, and key industries. While views may differ on the causes or pace of these changes, the focus remains on ensuring the nation’s resilience and readiness for evolving environmental conditions.
Under the Paris Agreement, nations around the world agreed to voluntarily work toward limiting temperature increases and improving environmental stewardship. While the U.S. has taken its own path under different administrations, the core principle of advancing American energy leadership and safeguarding natural resources remains a bipartisan concern.
To maintain global competitiveness and domestic stability, the U.S. must continue to invest in energy innovation—including both traditional and emerging technologies. Over the last two decades (2000 – 2022), the country has reduced emissions by approximately 17%.
Climate-related effects vary by region, but one common issue many states now face is water stress. Periods of drought, especially in the Southwest and Southeast part of the USA, are becoming more frequent. This poses challenges for farmers, ranchers, and rural communities who rely on consistent water access for crops, livestock, and everyday life.
At the same time, coastal flooding and heavy rainfall events have led to concerns about infrastructure, aquifer salinization, and storm preparedness. In both cases, the key priority is building stronger, more adaptive systems that protect American families, support economic activity, and preserve water quality.
While perspectives may differ on climate science or policy, one truth remains: Americans care deeply about clean air, clean water, and a strong, secure economy. Investing in sustainable infrastructure and providing innovative solutions to todays challenges, whilst strengthening the country’s energy independence are priorities that unite communities and support long-term national resilience.
By embracing a forward-thinking approach—rooted in American values, innovation, and local leadership—the United States is well-positioned not only to meet future environmental challenges, but to lead the way in building a cleaner, more prosperous, and more sustainable future for all.
The US is a strategic market for ACCIONA, which is expanding its presence in the infrastructure sector, adding to its growing portfolio of renewable energy assets.
The company’s history dates back to the early 2000’s, when they acquired their first wind farm, and then in June 2007 went onto open and operate the 64 MW Nevada Solar One plant.
From an infrastructure perspective, ACCIONA entered the country in 2008 with the award of the desalination plant in Tampa Bay (Florida), which supplies water to 2.5 million people. In 2021 it was awarded its first public-private partnership project, the Fargo (North Dakota)-Moorhead (Minnesota) flood diversion canal, which will protect more than 235,000 people from the catastrophic effects of potential flooding from the Red River.
Recently, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) selected ACCIONA, in a consortium with Plenary Americas and Sacyr, to design, build, finance, operate and maintain for 50 years the bridge over the Calcasieu River, as part of the I-10 interstate highway in Louisiana, which connects the towns of Lake Charles and Westlake over a nine-kilometer stretch. The US$3.1 billion (€2.85 billion) project includes the replacement of the existing bridge, which is more than 70 years old. The works, which will be executed by a consortium formed by ACCIONA (with 50%) and Sacyr (with 50%), will involve the reconstruction of six lanes of the interstate highway, several additional structures, the implementation of a free-flow toll system and the elimination of the existing bridge.
ACCIONA Energía commissioned in May the Red-Tailed Hawk photovoltaic plant located near Houston, in Wharton County (Texas). With a capacity of 458MWp, it is the largest solar complex the company has built to date. It is also building the 325MWp Union Solar photovoltaic plant in Ohio. Red-Tailed Hawk adds to ACCIONA Energía's portfolio of renewable energy projects in North America, where it has a total of 2.7GW installed, reinforcing its position as a key player in the country's energy transition.
In another field, ACCIONA Cultura has recently been selected to carry out projects in two iconic cultural institutions in New York City: the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration and the Hip Hop Museum in the Bronx. In this way, the company, which specializes in the development of museums and exhibitions, consolidates its commitment to the North American market with an interactive, technological and innovative approach.
ACCIONA in the US has successfully overcome important infrastructure challenges since 2003. Our leadership and experience covers the whole value chain, from research and development to the construction, operation and maintenance of projects.
ACCIONA Energía owns and operates 10 wind farms in the US, which together provide over 1 GW of wind power capacity, as well as the Nevada Solar One 64 MW concentrated solar power plant. The company also has a portfolio of four solar plants under construction, which will increase its solar and wind power production capacity to more than 2 GW. Also, ACCIONA Energía has acquired the Cunningham Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), the biggest such plant in the state of Texas, which will start operating in the first quarter of this year (2023).
In the water sector, ACCIONA has built and operates the Tampa Bay desalination plant in Florida, again the biggest such plant in the US, which supplies water to a total of 2.5 million people, producing 108,000 cubic meters of water per day. The facility began operating in 2008 and has received several international awards from the sector.
This broad portfolio of solutions contribute to reach the global priorities set by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), which give a comprehensive response to many sustainable development model challenges that this society faces.
Ensure access to water and sanitation for all
Over 2.000 million people in the world live without access to a basic drinking water service, and 3,6 billion have no access to a basic sanitation service, resulting in avoidable deaths, chronic disease, fewer hours of education and low productivity.
ACCIONA has positioned itself as a key player in the water treatment sector. Its innovative management seeks to resolve the challenges with respect to the shortage of water resources.
Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy
One in eight people still lack access to electricity. To ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all, the use of renewable energy has to increase from the current 25% to 38% by 2025.
ACCIONA is leading the corporate fight to mitigate the effects of the climate emergency and accelerate change towards a decarbonised energy model. We are the largest 100 % clean energy company in the world.
Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
Economic growth, social advancement and action against the climate emergency depend largely on investment in infrastructure, sustainable industrial development and technological progress. Today, about 1 billion people live more than 2 km from a roadway, 940 million live without electricity, and 663 million lack improved drinking water sources.
ACCIONA participates in the entire infrastructure construction value chain, from the identification of opportunity, design and execution, to the operation and maintenance of the constructed works, using the most advanced and innovative techniques.
Performance quality and safety are two of the criteria that maximize the company's value proposal in the development of large infrastructure projects and that differentiate it from other competitors in the construction field.
Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
Today, cities represent 3 % of the planet's surface and concentrate more than 50 % of the population. A figure that will rise to 70 % by 2050. In addition, cities generate more than 80 % of the world's gross domestic product (GDP).
In addition to facilitating access to essential services for life - such as energy and water - ACCIONA contributes to making cities places of productive well-being in which to live, favouring people's socio-economic development.
Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
The generation and use of energy accounts for 74 % of total greenhouse gas emissions in the world. This activity is the largest contributor to global warming. Investment in renewable energy, energy efficiency and other low-carbon technologies will continue to be essential to meet the emerging needs of humanity and to minimize their negative impact on the environment.
ACCIONA considers the fight against climate change and its effects to be a strategic priority. The company works to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions in order to contribute to the progress of society and respond to the main challenges of sustainable development in the areas of infrastructure, water and energy, leading the transition to a low-carbon economy.
ACCIONA recognizes that people are our greatest assets. Our fundamental values ensure fairness, integrity and respect when dealing with all stakeholders, which is why we believe that PEOPLE will drive the transformation that society needs.
We strive every day to design mechanisms and solutions that make the planet a better place, where societies can develop thanks to a sustainable and environmentally friendly economic and cultural model.
For over a century, we have been designing solutions to the major challenges facing each generation. With more than 66,000 committed and talented professionals of 140 nationalities, we have been able to expand our activity to more than 40 countries worldwide, boosting development in the communities where we work and raising environmental awareness.
At a council meeting held in February, representatives of ACCIONA Energía were on hand to present a donation to the Friends of Custer Fire Protection District.
This is ACCIONA Energía’s second donation to the non-profit.
ACCIONA has been awarded the Top Employer 2025 certification in twelve of its key markets, as well as Top Employers North America and the Enterprise Seal, recognising its excellence in Human Resources management. This certification reflects ACCIONA’s commitment to promoting the values of respect, equal opportunities, diversity, merit, leadership, and continuous communication.
This certification, awarded by Top Employers Institute, is one of the most demanding and prestigious globally in the field of corporate people management.
Information on data protection
In compliance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 on Data Protection and with other Data Protection regulations in force, you are hereby informed that your personal data shall be processed by Acciona, S.A. (hereinafter “ACCIONA”), whose identification data are as follows: Tax ID No. (NIF): A08001851; Address: Avenida de la Gran Vía de Hortaleza, 3, 28033 (Madrid); Tel. No.: +34 91 663 28 50; email: acciona.corp@acciona.com. Your data shall be processed in order to address and manage your queries, requests, claims and suggestions, as well as send information, regarding our products and services through electronic means (all of these, hereinafter the “Request”).
The consent given by the data subject by indicating that they have read and accept this data protection information comprises the lawfulness of processing, and if a contract had been entered into with the interested party, legitimation shall be for the compliance of legal obligations derived from the aforementioned contract and for the enforcement thereof. We will only process the essential data that you provide in your application, such as your identification data (name, surname, language, contact details) and data related to the business area of your interest. The data shall be stored only for the time to attend and answer your Request, and in any case, never for more than twelve months.
In case your Request is related to one of our solutions or businesses, we may communicate your personal data to another ACCIONA Group entity (you can consult a list of Group companies at www.acciona.com/shareholders-investors/financial-information/annual-accounts/), in order to be able to deal with your Request in a more efficient way. We also may give access to your data to service providers (such as technology service providers) who assist us in fulfilling this purpose. Some of its service providers, may be located outside of the European Economic Area in territories that do not offer a level of data protection that is comparable to that of the European Union. In such cases, we transfer User data with appropriate safeguards and always ensuring the security of the same. By accepting the privacy terms, you consent to your data being transferred internationally in order for your Request to be properly processed.
The data subject can exercise their rights of access to or rectification, erasure or portability of their data, and/or the restriction of or objection to the processing of such data, by contacting to Acciona, S.A. by writing the Department of Data Protection located at Avenida de la Gran Vía de Hortaleza, 3, 28033 (Madrid), or by sending an email to the following address: protecciondedatos@acciona.com. If we consider it necessary in order to be able to identify you, we may ask you for a copy of an identity document. Furthermore, at any time the data subject may withdraw the granted consent by contacting the aforementioned address and file a claim to the Supervisory Authority (Agencia Española de Protección de Datos www.aepd.es).
For any further information, you can visit the Privacy Police on the website https://www.acciona.com/privacy-policy/.
"Over the past twenty years, ACCIONA has evolved with determination, driven by a pioneering spirit that has enabled us to anticipate the major challenges we have faced. Step by step, we have built a business model focused on delivering sustainable and technically advanced solutions to global challenges such as climate change, water scarcity, and rapid urbanization."
ACCIONA Energía's largest photovoltaic plant globally has begun supplying renewable energy to Texas, the heart of the U.S. oil industry.
ACCIONA ENERGÍA Is involved in the biggest photovoltaic challenge in its 30 years’ experience in the renewables sector: building solar plants in the United States consisting of more than two million solar panels on a total surface area equivalent to more than 1,600 football fields.
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