Iberdrola and the Basque Government seal a strategic alliance to boost quantum technology

Iberdrola and the Basque Government's Department of Science, Universities and Innovation have signed a long-term collaboration agreement to conduct research into the application of quantum computing in different areas of the energy sector, develop new technological capabilities and promote knowledge transfer. The agreement is part of the BasQ (Basque Quantum) Strategy, promoted by the Basque Government, which places the Basque Country as one of the most advanced European nodes in quantum technologies.

This alliance seeks to establish a solid and lasting link between the scientific community involved and Iberdrola, one of the leading global energy companies, around an emerging technology that promises to transform key sectors such as energy, mobility, finance and health.

Under the agreement, Iberdrola will have access to the quantum computing capacity implemented by the Basque Government within the BasQ ecosystem. Thus, the utility will be a member of the IBM-Euskadi Quantum Computing Centre and will be able to access the centre's IBM Quantum System Two system, which is scheduled to be installed in San Sebastian at the end of this year. This is the first IBM installation of this type in Europe.

Members of the IBM-Euskadi Quantum Computing Centre will have access to these capabilities and resources to help train the workforce specialised in quantum computing, promote economic development and develop new useful algorithms that contribute to achieving the Basque Government's vision for quantum technologies, according to the IKUR 2030 plan.

Iberdrola and the Basque Government will also collaborate on applied research, advanced training and scientific dissemination projects, with a focus on the possible applications of quantum in the field of energy. The company will support the ecosystem of startups, companies and their working and training groups, such as the Quantum Practitioner courses that are held annually.

The aim is to promote interaction with other public and private agents in the BasQ ecosystem, as well as with international scientific networks, to generate synergies and strengthen the positioning of the Basque Country in this field.

For Iberdrola, this alliance reaffirms its commitment to technological innovation as a vector for transforming the energy model. The company is exploring the potential of quantum computing to optimise smart grids, improve weather forecasting, simulate advanced materials and accelerate energy efficiency algorithms.

For its part, the Department of Science, Universities and Innovation consolidates with this agreement its role as a bridge between frontier science and the strategic challenges of the Basque industrial fabric.

The agreement with Iberdrola joins a series of public-private alliances that the Basque Government is promoting in the context of BasQ, with the aim of making the Basque Country a European benchmark in quantum science, talent training and industrial applications.

This strategic alliance strengthens the collaborative fabric between science, business and institutions, and represents a decisive step towards a model of advanced, sustainable innovation connected with the great global technological challenges.