The Spanish utility Iberdrola plans to invest €4.8bn in digitisation over the 2018-2022 period and to develop 75 innovation projects each year, contributing to an additional €600m to the company's gross operating profit (Ebitda) in 2022. contributing to an additional €600m to the company's gross operating profit (Ebitda) in 2022.
In 2017, over €246m were invested in Research & Development & Innovation (R&D+i) activities (+17% on 2016). Iberdrola focused on improving efficiency and operating and maintenance costs on wind parks, developing batteries (ESS2GRID plan), and innovating in the field of offshore wind. The group is also moving ahead with smart grid solutions for customers and completed its Upgrid project (integration of distributed generation in low-voltage grids). Iberdrola is developing the Gridstorage project, an advanced micro-grid including storage capacities. In the retail segment, the group proposes smart solutions for customers (customised electricity consumption plans).