Iberdrola SA has presented its strategic roadmap for 2025-2028, outlining a €58 billion gross investment plan that represents a 30% increase compared to the 2021-2024 period. The Spanish utility company unveiled the strategy during its Capital Markets Day in London, emphasizing a shift toward regulated network businesses and long-term contracts to enhance business stability and provide greater visibility to investors. The plan focuses heavily on markets with stable regulatory frameworks, with 85% of investments directed toward countries with 'A' credit ratings.

The investment allocation shows a clear geographic concentration, with the United Kingdom emerging as the primary destination with €20 billion, followed by the United States with €16 billion. The Iberian Peninsula will receive €9 billion, Brazil €7 billion, and other EU countries plus Australia €5 billion. This distribution strategy aims to balance growth opportunities with regulatory maturity, targeting markets where the company has identified specific projects and established operational presence.

Financially, Iberdrola projects reaching €18 billion in EBITDA by 2028, representing a €3 billion increase from 2024 levels. The company also targets an adjusted net profit of €7.6 billion for 2028, up from the record €5.53 billion achieved in 2024. A key aspect of the strategy involves reducing exposure to spot electricity prices, with the goal that 75% of EBITDA will be decoupled from energy price volatility by 2028. Regulated networks are expected to contribute 55% of operating results under the new plan.

Shareholders will benefit from the company's commitment to distribute approximately €20 billion in dividends over the four-year period. Iberdrola has established a dividend floor of €0.64 per share and will maintain a payout ratio between 65% and 75% of profits. The company's flexible remuneration program also includes share buybacks. Partners will contribute €8 billion to the investment plan, bringing Iberdrola's net investment to €50 billion, with €37 billion specifically allocated to expanding regulated network assets to reach €70 billion.

King Charles has joined forces with Oscar-winning actress Cate Blanchett in a previously unpublicized podcast recording focused on global conservation efforts. The 22-minute episode, titled "Unearthed: The Need For Seeds," was recorded in the private gardens of Windsor Castle in July and features the monarch alongside Blanchett and Kew seed scientist Dr. Elinor Breman. This marks only the second podcast recording in the King's public life, demonstrating his continued commitment to environmental causes that have defined much of his royal work.

The conversation centered on the Millennium Seed Bank at Wakehurst, West Sussex, which King Charles originally opened in 2000 and has maintained an active interest in since. The facility represents one of the world's most ambitious conservation projects, having collected, cleaned, dried and stored nearly 2.5 billion seeds from more than 40,000 plant species in walk-in freezers maintained at minus 20 degrees Celsius. Both the King and Blanchett, who became Wakehurst's first ambassador last year, emphasized the critical importance of this work in preserving global biodiversity.

During the discussion, Blanchett expressed concern about the rapid loss of natural habitats, noting that "97 percent of wildflower meadows have been decimated" in recent decades. She highlighted the disconnect between perceived natural beauty and actual ecological fragility, stating that "there is an urgency to the work that the seed bank does." The King echoed this sentiment, reflecting on his long-standing awareness of environmental degradation, particularly the damage to flower-rich meadows since the postwar period.

The podcast also touched on broader conservation challenges, including the need for increased funding and public awareness. Blanchett pointed to the frustration of seeing "so many extraordinary initiatives right there ready to be scaled up" but lacking financial support and direction. King Charles acknowledged both the progress made and the need to accelerate conservation efforts, stating that while the seed bank's work is "wonderful," the process must speed up to address escalating environmental threats facing plant species worldwide.