Energy sector : Basque energy cluster, Spain

In the Basque Country (País Vasco) in the north of Spain, the local government understood the economic potential of having a strong and innovative energy sector as early as the mid-1990s. Together with key energy players, they established Cluster de Energia, or the Basque Energy Cluster. The cluster organisation has members from all parts of the energy sector value chain. The single biggest company within the cluster, hence also one of the most important, is Iberdrola. With the acquisitions of Scottish Power in 2006 and Energy East (US) in 2007, Iberdrola has become one of Europe's biggest energy companies.