Green energy giants Iberdrola and Masdar have inked a €15 billion strategic partnership agreement to evaluate the joint development of offshore wind and green hydrogen projects in major markets that includes Germany, UK and the USA.
It may be noted that the firms have jointly invested in Baltic Eagle, in Germany. Next target of the alliance is to achieve a further co-investment in relation to the 1,400-megawatt (MW) UK East Anglia 3 offshore wind project. It is reported that the deal has been under negotiation for the last few months and could be signed by the end of Q1 2024. Masdar’s stake in this wind farm is expected to be ~ 49%.
The firms disclosed that the East Anglia 3 is currently in construction, with full commissioning scheduled for Q4 2026. Further, the windfarm secured a 15-year CPI-linked Contract for Difference (CfD) from the UK Government in July 2022. The project will power over 1.3 million British homes and create 2,300 jobs.
Besides East Anglia 3 transaction, both companies will work together to jointly invest in future offshore wind and green hydrogen projects in Europe and other markets.
The work to identify other opportunities is already underway, and it is anticipated that the total value of joint investments in offshore wind and green hydrogen as part of the alliance could reach €15 billion.
The plans, announced at the UN’s climate change conference COP28 in the UAE, demonstrate both companies’ firm commitment to accelerating the global energy transition.
Dr Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Chairman of Masdar and COP28 President, said, “ We welcome this partnership which will see global clean energy pioneers, Masdar and Iberdrola, coming together to use their expertise and resources to advance renewables in Europe and around the world. At COP28, we know that the world must triple global renewable energy capacity by 2030 to keep 1.5C within reach. Robust partnerships such as the one between Masdar and Iberdrola today will propel us towards this goal.”
Iberdrola’s Executive Chairman, Ignacio Galán, said, “Now that 118 governments have already pledged to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030 at COP28, reaching this goal will require immediate action from these governments and the private sector. Following our long-term commitment to renewables, networks, and storage, this innovative alliance with Masdar today shows once again our determination to continue delivering. By combining our renewables experience and financial strength with those of Masdar, we can deliver more secure, competitive and clean energy, quicker. We are very pleased to be expanding our existing alliance with a leading long-term partner like Masdar from Germany, where we are already constructing new offshore wind turbines, to the UK and across the world.”
Masdar’s Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, said, “We are delighted to be working with our strategic partners, Iberdrola, once again as we explore developing one of the UK’s largest offshore wind farms and other prospects in Europe. With an abundance of wind resources, the UK and Europe are prime markets for Masdar. As we target 100GW by 2030, Masdar is focused on developing innovative projects from the very early stages to further strengthen our offshore wind expertise. We have been active in the UK for more than a decade, pioneering landmark projects including the world’s first floating offshore wind farm. At COP28, as the world looks to triple renewable energy capacity to secure a greener future, projects such as the 1,400MW East Anglia 3 offshore wind farm show how we can create jobs, power homes and cut emissions.”
