The IBERDROLA group generated 79.79 billion kWh of electricity in the first half of this year, according to preliminary data. This figure represents an increase of 14.2% on the same period in 2009.

This significant increase in output, achieved against a backdrop of a slight recovery in demand, is the result of a greater contribution by clean generation technologies, in line with the company’s current strategy.

In particular, the growth in hydroelectric output was especially noteworthy in the period, with a 119.1% increase to 14.42 billion kWh, accounting for 18.1% of all the power generated by the group to June.

Output from renewable energy sources also continued to rise, with a 21.5% increase to 12.86 billion kWh, and as a percentage of total output, representing 16.1%. Meanwhile, 21.6% more electricity was generated through cogeneration to 3.23 billion kWh, representing nearly 4% of the group’s total output.

IBERDROLA’s combined cycle plants around the world generated 29.28 billion kWh in the first six months of the year, which was 7.2% below that registered in the same period of the previous year. Nonetheless, this technology continued to make the greatest contribution to the group’s total output, with a 36.7% share.

Meanwhile, nuclear power plants generated 10.6% more electricity, reaching 12.65 billion kWh (nearly 16% of total output), while output from thermal power plants was up 4.5% at 7.31 billion kWh, accounting for 9.2% of total output. With an output of 39 million kWh, fuel-oil fired thermal plants accounted for a negligible percentage of the group’s total output.

83% of output in Spain emission-free

Atmospheric emissions at group level fell over the period by 14% to 238 grams of CO2 per kWh, while in Spain they fell by 48%, from 154 grams to 80 grams of CO2 per kWh.

In addition, nearly 50% of IBERDROLA’s total output was CO2-free, compared to the national average of 82.8%, thanks to the company’s commitment to clean generation technologies.

In Spain, IBERDROLA’s output reached 38.89 billion kWh (+21%), which included a significant increase in hydraulic generation (151.6% to 13.35 billion kWh) and in renewables (23.9%, to 6.19 billion kWh). Nuclear power plants generated 12.65 billion kWh, while combined cycle gas-fired power plants registered an output of 5.08 billion kWh.

On the other hand, international expansion of the company’s business in recent years has led to foreign power plants contributing approximately half of total energy generated during the period.

Specifically, IBERDROLA’s international generation from January to June 2010 amounted to 40.90 billion kWh: 19.05 billion kWh in Latin America, 14.22 billion kWh in the UK, 6.60 billion in the US, and 1.03 billion kWh elsewhere.

IBERDROLA continued to diversify its generation assets throughout the world in the first six months of 2010, with installed capacity rising to 43,855 MW at the end of June.

By technology, combined cycle power plants accounted for 30% of total capacity; hydroelectric, 22.4%; renewable energies, 26%; thermal power, 10.7%, nuclear, 7.6%; cogeneration, 2.8%; and fuel-oil, 0.4%.

The company experienced significant growth in its installed capacity abroad, which comprised 6,852 MW in the UK, 4,841 MW in the US, 5,555 MW in Latin America and another 1,125 MW throughout the rest of the world. In Spain, IBERDROLA ended the first half with 25,482 MW of installed capacity.

IBERDROLA is committed to growing in the core energy business through the use of environmentally-friendly power plants, a commitment that has positioned it as a key player in the fight against climate change. Its dedication to this fight will continue in the coming years as it brings on stream more renewable energy facilities and hydroelectric plants capable of meeting peak demands both in Spain and abroad.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION 

This communication does not constitute an offer of purchase, sale or exchange or a request for an offer of purchase, sale or exchange of values. The shares of Iberdrola S.A. cannot be offered or sold in the United States, except if this is carried out through a declaration of effective notification of what is laid out in the Securities Act or under the protection of a valid exemption of the need for notification.