From Coal Exit to Global Recognition: How Ignacio Galán Reshaped the Energy Industry

Ignacio Galán, Executive Chairman of Iberdrola and Chairman of AVANGRID, has been honored with the World Jurist Association’s Medal of Honor—a recognition that underscores a transformative two-decade mission to revolutionize global energy systems. Presented by former U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz at the United Nations headquarters in New York on April 13th, the award marks a milestone in Galán’s career as a champion of clean energy infrastructure and corporate responsibility.

The Vision Behind a Renewable Revolution

Dr. Moniz characterized Galán as a “planetary and corporate hero,” emphasizing how his engineering background and strategic foresight positioned Iberdrola to lead the renewable energy transition. More than twenty years ago, when renewable energy was still nascent, Galán committed Iberdrola to a comprehensive pivot toward sustainable power generation—a decision that has since proven prescient for the global energy sector.

Under Galán’s stewardship, Iberdrola evolved from the world’s 20th largest electricity utility to the second largest by market capitalization, while simultaneously cementing its position as an industry leader in climate ambition. This growth occurred not through conventional expansion but through strategic divestment and reinvestment: the company systematically closed all 17 coal and fuel oil generation facilities worldwide, replacing them with industry-leading renewable capacity of 40,000 megawatts.

Capital Deployment and ESG+F Commitment

The financial commitment underlying this transition is staggering. Iberdrola has invested over €140 billion during Galán’s tenure, with €47 billion in planned expenditures through 2025 designed to accelerate its Climate Action Plan. These investments reflect an explicit alignment with ESG+F principles—Environmental, Social, Governance, and Financial Performance—a framework Galán articulated upon accepting the award.

Speaking at the United Nations ceremony, Galán stressed that successful energy transition demands coordination across all societal actors: “The successful transition to a cleaner energy model will require the active participation of all administrations, institutions, companies, and civil society.” He pledged Iberdrola’s continued commitment to transparent governance, professional standards, and value creation for all stakeholders.

AVANGRID’s Role in North American Energy Infrastructure

As Chairman of AVANGRID, Galán extends this transformative agenda to the United States market. The company, majority-controlled by Iberdrola, operates with approximately $41 billion in assets across 24 U.S. states. AVANGRID’s dual business model—networks (eight electric and natural gas utilities serving 3.3 million customers) and renewables—positions it as a critical player in North American decarbonization.

AVANGRID’s renewable energy portfolio complements its regulated utility operations, creating a balanced approach to energy infrastructure modernization. The company has earned recognition from JUST Capital for three consecutive years as one of America’s JUST 100 companies, and ranked first within the utility sector for environmental commitment in 2023.

Carbon Neutrality Targets and Industry Leadership

Iberdrola’s declared roadmap reflects the urgency of climate action: carbon neutrality for scopes 1 and 2 by 2030, with net-zero emissions across all scopes before 2040. These targets, backed by substantial capital allocation, position the company as a benchmark for corporate climate accountability. The World Jurist Association’s recognition of Galán acknowledges not merely personal achievement but institutional transformation—a company-wide reorientation toward sustainability and stakeholder value creation that has redefined industry norms.