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.
ACCIONA Energía has announced that its Fort Bend and High Point Solar Farms have seen the introduction of Dorper sheep, allowing the projects to become agrivoltaics installations, a practice that optimizes land use, pairing renewable power generation and agricultural practices.
Approximately 2,000 sheep will graze across the photovoltaic farms granting land a dual purpose.
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.
Developing quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure to support economic development and human well-being is vital in our fight against climate change. It is important that companies that are delivering our infrastructure have a sustainable and innovative mind.
In Australia, ACCIONA’s recent transport infrastructure projects have included two highways, the Sydney Light Rail. Local outcomes from these projects resulted in nearly $1 million AUD investment in innovation, 60.5km of new and upgraded roads and 12km of light rail.
13% of the global population still lacks access to safe and reliable sources of electricity. ACCIONA is contributing to SDG 7 through generating clean energy from our renewable assets. Our projects will supply clean energy that will go towards the 2030 goals related to increasing renewable energy into the global energy mix, providing access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services and improving energy efficiency.
Currently, cities represent 3% of the earth’s land, however they contain over 50% of the population! This figure is expected to increase to 70% in 2050. That’s why, it is so important that we are building sustainable cities and communities so that we can thrive.
Climate change is the main challenge facing our future. With the rise of temperature, sea levels, land diversification and water scarcity, it is important that companies take action against climate change by investing in sustainability through things like composite materials, reducing emissions and creating a circular economy through renewable energy and waste-to-energy projects.
In Australia, ACCIONA avoided 15 tonnes of CO2 emissions per capita. This was measured from 3 of our wind farms. As a result, our local operations avoided 1.1 million tonnes of CO2 emissions (2019).
As part of our Social Impact Management (SIM) program, ACCIONA Energia invests in the communities where we operate. Each year we support nearly 20 non-profit organizations providing services in the areas of education, wellness and environmental stewardship.
Our employees are also an integral part of their communities. They serve as members of city councils, school boards, fire departments, civic organizations and coach youth sports.
Additionally, our projects provide extra income to farmers, ranchers and other private landowners. These payments provide our lease holders with an income stream that is both consistent and drought-proof.
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.
At ACCIONA we seek to develop sustainable infrastructures designed to promote the regeneration of the planet and to meet the needs of society. Solutions that respond to the challenges of a development model that is running out of steam, and that will make a better future possible.
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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