UNITED STATES, ONE OF THE COUNTRIES GLOBAL WARMING MOST AFFECTS
The US is the fourth largest country in the world and this means it’s host to an enormous wealth of ecosystems and variety of climate conditions. The other side of the coin is that the runaway climate crisis is responsible for the collection of problems it faces across its territory. The latest National Climate Assessment commissioned by Congress shows that the US is getting warmer faster than the global average.
Now the Paris Agreement mainly aims to limit global warming to 1.5°C, without in any scenario exceeding 2°C, so the US needs to progress inexorably toward carbon neutrality by 2050. To do this, the country will have to be reducing its emissions by 6% every year from now on, a gigantic task when we consider it has only cut its emissions by 12% over the past two decades. So, the national challenge is to reach “net zero” through a drastic transformation toward renewable energies without delay and decoupling from fossil fuels.
FROM THE CLIMATE CRISIS TO THE WATER CRISIS
The consequences of the climate crisis are obvious in the US in many ways: loss of biodiversity, spread of invasive species, extreme events such as typhoons, floods, waves of ice-cold, and more phenomena which, according to the NCA report, are now happening every three weeks.
But one of the most overwhelming problems in many US regions is also the water crisis. Droughts are increasingly common now due to global warming, especially in the south-east of the country. We’re warned about the dangers hanging over aquifers – which are increasingly over-exploited due to droughts - as well as food insecurity due to the lack of water to keep up with farm output.
And then there is intense rainfall and flooding which cause the sea level to rise. Saltwater enters the aquifers, polluting potable water sources and endangering safe supply.
ACCIONA IN THE US, AN ALLY FOR DECARBONIZATION
ACCIONA is leader in the development and management of infrastructure, water, services, and renewable energies. A member of Spain’s top-line IBEX35 index (ANA.MC), we are a listed company with over 40,000 employees in more than 60 countries on five continents.
In North America, ACCIONA Energía operates more than 1 GW of wind power, solar thermal and industrial-scale energy storage projects, which make it one of the main players in the US energy transition. The company is the world’s biggest utility without a fossil fuel legacy. It benefits from over 30 years of track record in the sector and also boasts one of the most experienced personnel on the planet.
ACCIONA’s team in the US is involved in all aspects of renewable energies, including the financing, construction and operational development of projects, as well as energy marketing.
ACCIONA is actively seeking opportunities to construct a more sustainable future and increase the company’s presence in the US.
Long time experience
+ 20 years in the U.S.
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.
OUR EXPERIENCE IN NUMBERS
155
SALES (MILLION EUROS)
2.078
RENEWABLE ENERGY PRODUCTION (GWH)
2,078
EMISSIONS AVOIDED (THOUSANDS OF TCO2 E)
Our solutions
FOR A CLEANER FUTURE
Renewable Energy
Globally, ACCIONA is leading the corporate fight to mitigate the harmful effects of the climate emergency and accelerate the shift to a decarbonized energy model. ACCIONA Energy is the world's largest fossil-free utility operating exclusively in renewable technologies, with more than 30 years of experience in its sector.
Sustainable and innovative infrastructures
Transport
ACCIONA has more than 100 years of experience building major transport projects. To date, the group has participated in the design and execution of more than 10,000 kilometres of transportation infrastructure, including roads, bridges, tunnels and railways, including some of the most significant underground projects in the world.
END-TO-END WATER CYCLE: SUSTAINABLE AVAILABILITY
water
Water scarcity currently affects 40% of the world’s population, and this number is only increasing with global warming. ACCIONA designs, builds and operates safe clean drinking water treatment plants, tertiary treatments for reuse, and reverse osmosis desalination plants to strive for universal access to this essential resource.
TRANSFORMING SOCIETY TO PROMOTE PUBLIC WELFARE
Social
ACCIONA provides fundamental social infrastructure services that facilitate public welfare improve quality of life. Supported by highly qualified professionals and its own vocation for innovation, ACCIONA carries out its activities in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
HIGHLIGHT PROJECTS OVER THE YEARS
see all our ProjectsLatest news
UpdatesACCIONA uses renewable biofuel in heavy machinery for Fargo-Moorhead project
This pilot project will reduce 1,000 tons of CO2 emissions from the Fargo-Moorhead project
ACCIONA to build and operate new Calcasieu river bridge in Louisiana (USA)
This contract is ACCIONA’s second concession in the United States
ACCIONA is certified as ‘2023 Top Employer’ in eight of its main markets
ACCIONA has obtained the 2023 Top Employer seal for its Human Resources management
ACCIONA Energía acquires largest battery storage project in Texas (190MW) and 1GW of bess pipeline
ACCIONA Energía has signed an agreement with Qcells, a subsidiary of the South Korean industrial ...
aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION
Ensure access to water and sanitation for all
In 2017, 99.0 % of the population used a safely managed drinking water service--an improved source located on premises, available when needed and free from contamination
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. Tampa Bay (Florida) supplies water to a total of 2.5 million people, producing 108,000m3 of water per day. This desalination plant came into operation in 2008.
AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN 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.
In 2018, 95.0 % of the population relied primarily on clean fuels and technology . Thanks to ACCIONA, the U.S. has 1.126 MW installed power.
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.
INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
Performance quality, sustainability and safety are 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.
This value proposal is maximized as 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.
SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES
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.
CLIMATE ACTION
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. In the U.S., ACCIONA has avoided 1.1 million tCO2 thanks to wind farms and thermosolar plants.
Social Impact Management
our commitment with local communities
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.
our presence in the communities
We invest in the communities where we operate
Our commitment with people, an acknowledged value
Changing the course of history
2022 Report
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.