Australia, a pillar for Acciona's internationalization

The Acciona Campus in Madrid hosts a meeting with the leaders of the Spain-Australia Foundation Council | View the Program Summary in PDF

Acciona is a global company specializing in the development and management of sustainable infrastructure and renewable energy, with operations in more than 40 countries. Among them, one of the most significant is Australia, where the company has been operating since 2002 and concentrates 33% of its global activity. Through its subsidiary Acciona Energía, it leads flagship projects such as the MacIntyre wind farm and the Aldoga solar project, both key to the country’s energy transition. It also takes part in large-scale initiatives such as Australia’s first fully green energy network, as well as in major transport and water projects that reinforce its role as a strategic player in the region.

The company’s headquarters, the Acciona Campus in Madrid, is a large complex comprising several emblematic buildings, designed as an innovative workplace that meets the highest standards of sustainability and contemporary design.

At the Acciona Campus, the Leaders were welcomed by several company executives. José Eugenio Salarich, Director of International Relations; Alberte González Patiño, Director of Communication; and Matthew Magee, Director of International Communication, presented the company’s history and its close relationship with Australia.

José Eugenio Salarich opened the session, noting that he was one of the founders of the Spain–Australia Council Foundation and that he is proud to see how the institution has grown, describing it as “an example of public–private collaboration.”

Next, Matthew Magee gave a presentation on the company, highlighting its philosophy focused on sustainability. “In the last three decades, Spain has brought sustainability from policy into practice, and you can really see that in the country. And I don’t think Australia is far behind: we are witnessing how that drive towards sustainability is accelerating there,” he said. “For that reason,” he continued, “there are many positive aspects that both countries can share.”

Acciona’s philosophy is based on the need to rethink infrastructure from its design, construction, and operation phases to minimize environmental impact. To achieve this, the company applies circular economy principles, emission-reduction strategies, and efficient use of natural resources. Its flagship projects include numerous international initiatives in renewable energy, as well as its Water division, dedicated to building and operating desalination and wastewater treatment plants. Acciona develops integrated projects that combine technical efficiency with a positive social impact.

For Acciona, Australia is one of its key markets. Its presence in the country dates back more than 20 years. The company currently has offices in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth, employs around 4,500 people, and through Acciona Energía has 1.9 GW of renewable energy either installed or under construction. One of its most representative projects is MacIntyre, the largest wind farm in the Southern Hemisphere, now nearing completion. “We are now, without a doubt, one of the leaders in the development of transmission lines. We have active projects in New South Wales and Western Australia and have been shortlisted for others in Victoria, both as transmission line builders and as investor–owners through concession models.”

Acciona also participates in major infrastructure and transport projects in Australia, including railway, road, and tunnel developments in collaboration with local authorities. Among them are the Sydney Metro West, one of the largest urban transport projects in the country, as well as the Byford Rail Extension in Perth and the EastLink Tunnel in Melbourne. In all these cases, the company applies sustainable design solutions, prioritizing the use of recyclable materials, energy-efficient machinery, and the protection of natural environments during construction.

Acciona is also active in the water sector, building and operating desalination and water treatment plants. Among these, the Adelaide Desalination Plant in southern Australia stands out, providing drinking water to nearly one million people.

Looking to the future, Acciona aims to continue leading the transition towards a low-carbon economy, with a strategy centered on innovation, energy efficiency, and value creation.

Another area of Acciona’s activity is museum construction, and its Campus in Madrid offers a prime example: the Acciona Museum, which the Leaders visited after the meeting. This immersive space tells the story of the company’s evolution—from its origins as a family business to its current status as a multinational committed to sustainability and innovation. Developed by Acciona Living Culture, the museum is dedicated to the memory of the company’s founder, José María Entrecanales Azcárate, and to the history of the organization.