'Sustainability cannot be addressed from a fragmented perspective: we cannot talk about the energy transition without considering its impact on natural capital; we cannot advance in technological innovation without thinking about the human capital that makes it possible; we cannot generate financial value without creating social value in the local areas where we operate.' This was how Beatriz Corredor defined Redeia's approach to sustainability during the opening of the company's Sustainability Conference, at which Joan Groizard, Spain's Secretary of State for Energy, also spoke.

Redeia advocates for an integrated approach to sustainability, a framework that guides all the company's decisions and is based on the six capitals (natural, human, social, technological, financial, and industrial). These are the same principles that govern the European Green Deal, which, in Corredor's words, reflects 'our conviction that companies, especially those that operate essential infrastructure, have the responsibility and the opportunity to lead the European objectives.'

With this same vision and the ambition to continue contributing to the decarbonisation of the economy and the European Competitiveness Strategy, the chairwoman of Redeia announced today that the group is already designing its new Sustainability Plan for 2029. This will replace the current plan, which has already achieved 98% compliance. The plan will be driven by two main ambitions: to be a more active agent of change in the face of global challenges and to continue generating a positive impact on nature, the territory, and people. To this end, the company is currently undertaking a detailed analysis of the global, sectoral, and sustainability context and trends, as well as identifying the expectations of its stakeholders.

40 years of creating sustainable value

This year, Redeia's flagship forum celebrates its fifth edition at the Giner de los Ríos Foundation in Madrid, now established as a space for collective reflection on key topics such as the energy transition, innovation, diversity, the protection of ecosystems, and the creation of local value. To this end, Redeia is bringing together more than 30 experts from the institutional, business, social, and cultural fields today and tomorrow to address the most urgent challenges of our time. 

On this occasion, Redeia celebrates 40 years of creating sustainable value. Its flagship company, Red Eléctrica, was founded in 1985 and, since then, has balanced the country's progress with care for the environment and the generation of shared value with society.

Currently, the company's efforts in this area are embodied in the Comprehensive Impact Strategy, created in 2023 to maximise its contribution to the environment. This has already led to the approval or launch of more than 200 environmental and social initiatives linked to investment projects. The €14 million allocated by Redeia to these actions is generating a social impact of around €140 million, according to estimates made using a reporting and measurement methodology created specifically to calculate in monetary terms how much value it generates for society, both directly and by promoting actions by other entities, institutions, and companies. 

Future developments: social innovation and forests

The chairwoman also announced two other significant future developments for the group. On the one hand, and within the framework of its new Sustainability Plan, the company is also designing a new roadmap for social innovation, through which it develops novel solutions to combat inequality in partnership with public administrations and leading Third Sector entities.

Now, Redeia plans to strengthen this work by dedicating all its efforts to seven major areas of action: territorial cohesion, gender equality, innovation, social entrepreneurship, energy transition and access to energy, nature with a social impact, heritage and culture, and community training and well-being.

On the other hand, the company is also observing with particular concern the effects of climate change, especially fires, on natural capital and specifically on forests. Therefore, Redeia is preparing the White Paper on Forests (Libro Blanco de Bosques), drawing on the previous experience of Red Eléctrica. It will be released in the coming months and will include reflections on connecting with forest areas, a lever from which new conservation projects will be developed.