ACCIONA is a global group that develops and manages sustainable infrastructure solutions, particularly in renewable energy. The company operates across the entire value chain, from design and construction to operation and maintenance.
ACCIONA’s goal is to lead the transition to a low-carbon economy, bringing technical excellence and innovation to all its projects to help design a better planet. With a presence in over 40 countries and €17.02 billion in sales in 2023, the company is dedicated to contributing to the economic and social development of the communities where it operates. With nearly a century of experience, ACCIONA is better equipped than ever to face the challenges confronting our planet and continue leading the way toward a more sustainable future.
Our unwavering purpose as a company is to become, each day, a more efficient and comprehensive tool in service of the nation.
Don José Entrecanales, “Entrecanales y Távora” 1965
MZOV (Compañía de los Ferrocarriles de Medina del Campo a Zamora y de Orense a Vigo), the railway company covering the Medina del Campo–Zamora and Orense–Vigo routes, was founded in Galicia, Spain. After being awarded several key lines connecting Galicia with central Spain, the company reinvented itself as a leading Spanish construction firm. In 1916 CUBIERTAS Y TEJADOS, S.A. was founded, specialising in roofing, but also expanding into other forms of industrial construction. Fifty years later, it merged with MZOV, becoming CUBIERTAS Y MZOV, S.A. (CYT) and later joined with ENTRECANALES AND TÁVORA, S.A. which formed the basis of ACCIONA.
José Entrecanales Ibarra, a civil engineer from Bilbao, and Manuel Távora, an entrepreneur from Seville, founded ENTRECANALES Y TÁVORA, S.A. on 11 March 1931. The company’s early projects included the remodelling of the San Telmo Bridge in Seville, designed to preserve the view of the Golden Tower as recommended by HRH King Alfonso XIII, and construction on the Cádiz pier.
In 1948, ENTRECANALES Y TÁVORA, S.A. signed its first contract outside Spain, undertaking projects in Portugal, Morocco, and Equatorial Guinea. This marked the company’s first step towards international expansion. Over time, the company expanded to various countries in Latin America, Europe, Africa, and Asia, including Egypt, the US, the Philippines, France, Hong Kong, Italy, Jordan, Malaysia, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.
José María Entrecanales de Azcárate, son of José Entrecanales Ibarra, became president of the company, with his brother Juan Entrecanales Azcárate as Vice President. Under their leadership, the company quickly became a national and international leader in construction and engineering, expanding operations to countries such as the United States, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Mexico.
CUBIERTAS Y MZOV, S.A. was established on 2 October 1978 as a result of the merger between MZOV and CYT. The merger capitalised on their complementary businesses, and marked a new era for both companies, as they continued to collaborate on major projects. ENTRECANALES Y TÁVORA, S.A. became primarily known for infrastructure work, but in the 1980s, diversification into sectors such as real estate, wine production, urban services, and telecommunications began.
In the 1980s, leading up to Expo 1992, Spain’s first high-speed railway between Madrid and Seville was under construction. ACCIONA played a key role, pioneering the development of an incrementally launched bridge for the high-speed rail line and constructing 234 km of the 472 km track. Spain now ranks first in Europe and second globally (behind China) in terms of high-speed railway infrastructure, with 3,000 km of track. ACCIONA was involved in building some of the largest projects. Examples include the Guadarrama tunnels, measuring 14,270 m and 14,000 m in length (the fifth-longest in the world) on the Madrid–Segovia section, and the Pajares tunnels, measuring 15,000 m and almost 10,000 m in length (eighth-longest in the world) on the Madrid-Asturias line.
In 1997, ACCIONA was established as a diversified group with José María Entrecanales de Azcárate as President and Juan Entrecanales de Azcárate as Vice President. This marked the creation of an international holding company operating across various sectors.
José Manuel Entrecanales Domecq, son of José María Entrecanales de Azcárate and grandson of the founder, became President, and Juan Ignacio Entrecanales Franco, son of Juan Entrecanales de Azcárate, became Vice President. Together, they guided the company through a transformation focused on three key pillars: infrastructure, energy, and water. This transition was supported by significant financial investment and a firm commitment to innovation and social responsibility, which became the driving force for quality employment.
ACCIONA rebranded itself with a new logo, redefining its mission as a leader in sustainable development. The company’s focus is on contributing to social welfare and sustainable development through a commitment to the basic pillars of sustainability: economic welfare, environmental protection, and social responsibility.
As part of its commitment to decarbonisation, ACCIONA pledged to become carbon neutral during the Paris climate summit in 2015. Since then, the company has taken significant steps to achieve this goal within the framework of its Sustainability Master Plan, reaching carbon neutrality—a key milestone in becoming a truly sustainable company on a global scale.
A different way of doing business. Through the evolution of its positioning, ACCIONA demonstrates that the smartest approach to achieving sustainable development is by investing in the planet through renewable energies, resilient infrastructures, and water management and treatment. This is a different way of conducting business—one that is essential in the pursuit of sustainability, especially in response to major global challenges like climate change and the transition towards a decarbonised economy.
2020 has been one of the most challenging years in recent history. The pandemic has required humanity to take collective action to curb the spread of the coronavirus, and has underscored the interconnection of the world’s most pressing challenges—chief among them, the climate emergency. ACCIONA is a leader in designing transformative solutions that address the core problems facing humanity, aiming to build more resilient and healthier societies while advancing the transition towards a decarbonised economy. We also support the sustainable recovery that will make this transition possible.
We remain at the forefront of sustainable transformation. With a +320% increase in sales and an 83% reduction in emissions, we have proven that growth does not have to come at the expense of greater pollution. In the most recent period, we achieved an all-time high in infrastructure contracts and backlog, alongside a record number of new megawatts installed within a year.
When the ACCIONA brand was launched in 2004, we drew inspiration from the legacy we inherited, deepening those values to address one of the greatest challenges—and opportunities—of our time: sustainability.
After 20 years on watch, we remain a leading reference, generating wealth and contributing to the creation of a better future for society—furthering the values of those who inspired our journey.
We are one of the few companies worldwide that belongs to a new sector addressing some of humanity’s greatest challenges—such as the growing demand for energy, water scarcity, and urbanisation—while contributing to the transformation and development of society in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
José Manuel Entrecanales
Our long history has shaped our aspiration to make the planet a better place through our activities, which provide sustainable solutions to the main challenges that will define the future relationship between humanity and Earth. These solutions are essential for both current and future generations to live in harmony with the planet.
After more than 80 years of history, ACCIONA embarked on a new journey two decades ago. The ACCIONA brand was born, championing a visionary approach to sustainability long before it became mainstream. Today, we continue to lead the charge toward a sustainable future, proving that business can be done differently.