Early Influences:
Galan’s upbringing in a small village instilled values of family, friendship, and austerity, shaping his leadership approach. His awareness of environmental issues and the need for sustainable energy sources led him to join Iberdrola in 2001.

Green Transformation:
Galan recognized the unsustainable nature of fossil fuel reliance and initiated a comprehensive plan to transform Iberdrola into a renewable energy company. He closed coal and oil power plants, invested heavily in renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and hydroelectric, and transformed hydroelectric facilities into reversible systems for efficient energy storage.

Challenges and Persistence:
Galan faced initial resistance from the board of directors to change the company’s color from blue to green, symbolizing the shift towards renewable energy. Through persistence and persuasion, he eventually gained approval for the color change and the company adopted a green identity.

Values in Leadership:
Galan emphasizes the importance of family, friendship, and honoring one’s word, values he learned from his upbringing. He promotes a sense of austerity and efficient resource utilization, aligned with today’s concept of circular economy. Galan values accessibility and humility, avoiding arrogance and maintaining a connection with people.

Global Renewable Energy Progress:
Despite being at the forefront of the renewable energy revolution, only a small portion of global energy comes from renewable sources. Galan attributes this slow progress to inaction over many years and insufficient efforts to transition away from fossil fuels. He emphasizes the need for urgent action to address climate change and transition to a sustainable energy future.

Long-Term Vision vs. Short-Term Focus:
There is a global consensus on the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 to mitigate global warming. However, short-term political and economic considerations often overshadow long-term goals, leading to inconsistent policies and regulations.

Misdirected Blame and Policies:
During the recent energy crisis, European politicians wrongly attributed rising energy prices to electricity instead of the actual culprit, which was gas. This resulted in misguided policies and reforms targeting the electricity market, exacerbating the situation instead of addressing the root cause.

Regulatory Obstacles and Delays:
The approval process for new energy projects, particularly renewable energy projects, is often slow and bureaucratic. This hinders progress in transitioning to sustainable energy sources and meeting long-term climate goals.

Engaging Regulators and Policymakers:
Collaboration between industry leaders, regulators, and policymakers is crucial in addressing these challenges. Open dialogue and evidence-based discussions can help develop coherent policies that support long-term sustainability while addressing short-term concerns.

The Role of European Union Authorities:
The European Union authorities have taken a more balanced approach, prioritizing long-term goals without neglecting immediate issues. This has led to more effective and comprehensive policy frameworks that promote sustainable energy transition while minimizing negative impacts on consumers.

Permitting Delays:
Ignacio Galan highlights the challenges associated with obtaining permits for renewable energy projects due to the involvement of multiple authorities at national, regional, and local levels. He emphasizes the lengthy and repetitive environmental impact assessment processes, leading to delays in project approvals.

European Parliament Initiatives:
Galan expresses his satisfaction with the European Parliament’s recent approval of two crucial measures aimed at accelerating decarbonization efforts. He mentions the establishment of a target of maximum two years for obtaining permits, aiming to streamline the approval process.

Integrated Planning and Analysis:
Galan suggests a comprehensive approach to project planning and analysis, where authorities collectively assess various aspects of a project simultaneously rather than sequentially. He proposes that authorities provide designated territories where specific types of renewable energy projects can be developed without facing additional restrictions or delays.

Self-sufficiency as a Goal:
Galan emphasizes the importance of self-sufficiency in electricity generation, particularly in light of the increasing effects of climate change. He advocates for rebranding the “5th for 55” target (aiming for 55% of electricity from renewable sources by 2030) to “5th for Self-sufficiency” to better communicate the urgency of energy independence.

Optimism about Renewable Technologies:
Galan acknowledges that the most promising renewable technologies depend on the specific country, territory, and available resources. He highlights the need for a diverse portfolio of renewable energy sources to achieve a sustainable energy future.

Investment in Renewables:
Ignacio Galan, CEO of Iberdrola, emphasizes the importance of investing in renewable energy technologies based on their suitability to specific geographic areas. He believes it is impractical to invest in solar in areas with limited sunlight, onshore wind in areas with low wind speeds, or offshore wind far from populated areas. Galan advocates for a balanced approach that utilizes various technologies to achieve renewable energy targets.

Fusion Technology:
Galan acknowledges recent breakthroughs in fusion technology but remains cautious about its short-term viability. He questions the competitiveness of fusion as an energy source and expresses uncertainty about the possibility of free electricity from this technology. Galan emphasizes that even if fusion eliminates variable costs, it still incurs capital expenditures, financial costs, and operational costs.

Energy Transition Training:
Nicolai Tangen, CEO of NBIM, highlights the importance of upskilling employees on the energy transition. NBIM has launched an eight-course module training program with over 230 participants. Galan emphasizes the challenge of developing leaders in the era of telework, as he believes effective leadership requires face-to-face interactions. He promotes the involvement of leaders in operational projects to foster leadership development.

Ignacio Galan’s Approach to Developing High-Potential Employees:
Galan emphasizes the importance of exposing young talent to real-world project responsibilities early on. He assigns them leadership roles in managing projects, negotiating with stakeholders, and delivering results. Galan believes this hands-on experience accelerates their growth and prepares them for more significant responsibilities.

Galan’s Personal Journey and Lessons Learned:
Galan shares his experience of managing a battery factory while still designing batteries. He highlights the value of learning various aspects of a business, including dealing with trade unions, local authorities, and legal complexities. Galan emphasizes the importance of developing well-rounded leaders capable of handling diverse challenges and responsibilities.

Galan’s Extensive Travel and Engagement with Employees:
Galan’s commitment to connecting with his employees is evident in his frequent travels and interactions with thousands of them each year. He values these opportunities to listen, understand their perspectives, and motivate them.

Galan’s Unique Approach to Decision-Making:
Galan finds solitude and inspiration in nature, particularly during horseback riding on his ranch. He believes that disconnecting from the daily routine and immersing himself in open spaces helps him gain clarity and make difficult decisions.

Galan’s Human-Centric Leadership Philosophy:
Galan’s Jesuit education instilled in him the belief that people are the foundation of economic activity. He values treating people with respect, understanding their needs, and empowering them to succeed. Galan believes that successful leaders must prioritize the well-being and development of their team members.

Ignacio Galan’s Leadership Philosophy:
Success or failure depends on the capability and performance of the people around you. Surround yourself with highly capable people and avoid blaming others for mistakes.

Long-term Thinking and Execution:
Long-term thinking involves combining diverse ideas and perspectives to create innovative solutions. Short-term goals should be measurable and regularly reviewed to ensure progress. Continuous improvement and quality control are essential throughout the entire process.

Vision and Strategy:
Establish a clear and long-term vision that guides decision-making and strategy. Avoid frequent changes to the vision and strategy, as consistency is crucial for success.

Relational and Long-term Business Relationships:
Foster relational and long-term business relationships built on trust, give and take, and mutual respect.

Exceptional Project Execution:
Clearly define project details before starting construction. Ensure project teams are committed and have a sense of ownership. Encourage pride and a sense of accomplishment among project teams.

Pride and Ownership in Project Execution:
Foster a culture where project teams take pride in their work and strive to deliver high-quality results. Recognize and celebrate successful project execution.

Diverse and Collaborative Teams:
Embrace diversity and collaboration among project teams, as it leads to innovative solutions.

Ignacio Galan’s Leadership Style and Approach:
Galan is known for his sense of urgency and his focus on speed in execution. He emphasizes the importance of making decisions quickly and efficiently, without micromanaging. He believes in a matrix structure, where each country’s CEO works closely with business area heads to make decisions collaboratively. This ensures that decisions are made with input from various perspectives and areas of expertise.

Galan’s View on Globalization:
Galan sees the company’s global presence as an opportunity for learning and collaboration. He highlights examples of how different regions within the company share knowledge and best practices, resulting in innovative solutions. He emphasizes the value of having people from different nationalities and backgrounds working together, as it brings diverse perspectives and skills to the table.

Galan’s Advice for Young People:
He encourages young people to be courageous and embrace lifelong learning. He believes that hard work, dedication, and continuous learning are essential for success. He advises them not to fear making mistakes and to learn from them, emphasizing the importance of taking decisions and persevering even in the face of setbacks.

Ignacio Galan and Nicolai Tangen’s Future Collaboration:
Galan and Tangen envision a future where they collaborate on creating a better world, focusing on sustainability and preserving the planet for future generations. They plan to come together and cook a meal using ingredients from their respective regions, symbolizing their partnership and shared commitment to making a positive impact.

Overall Theme:
Ignacio Galan’s leadership style emphasizes speed, collaboration, and a global perspective. He believes in empowering his team and values diversity and learning. His advice to young people is to be courageous, work hard, and embrace lifelong learning. Galan and Tangen share a common goal of working together to create a sustainable future.