The 60`s

Elecnor was incorporated on 6 June 1958 by a group of Spanish businesspeople who, today, after more than 50 years of history, remain the company’s primary shareholders.

Initially focused on the electric industry (power lines, substations, lighting and installations), it quickly broadens its area of business to include telecommunications and begins expanding with the creation of Spain’s first subsidiary, Postes Nervión (today Adhorna), specialised in prefab engineering and applications.

Its first foreign subsidiary is also born: Elecven (Electrolíneas de Venezuela), considered the first milestone in the international outlook which has always defined Elecnor.

The 70`s

During the 1970s, Elecnor furthers development by focusing on four strategic aspects: geographic expansion, business and customer diversification, foreign markets and talent recruitment.

During this time, the company’s area of business stretches to include the entire country, and it begins to operate in the conventional technology and hydroelectric generation markets, along with the nuclear industry, where it will develop sizeable contracts.

It remains involved in telecommunications infrastructure and begins developing industrial control systems with its own technology.

In 1975,Elecdor(Ecuador), the company’s second foreign subsidiary, is incorporated, and, in 1976, it creates theInternacional de Desarrollo Energético (IDDE)to promote the search for international projects and secure commercialisation and financing.

Three years later, in 1979, it breaches the Brazilian market with the creation ofElecnor do Brasil.

The 80`s

In the early 1980s, Elecnor enhances its international presence with its first contracts in Africa. Its pioneering turnkey project in the Ivory Coast is followed by others in Cameroon, Senegal and Burkina Faso. Apart from establishing itself in French-speaking Africa, Elecnor begins operating in the Dominican Republic, completes the Guatemala-El Salvador interconnection, is awarded significant contracts in Honduras and settles permanently in Central America.

In Spain, these years see the company delve into the railway industry with overhead line work and become a major player in the gas industry.

Likewise, and following its divergence from Industrial IT, it creates the corporation Cegenor, laterCosinor, in 1987, as a company specialised in Control Systems.

The 90`s

During the ‘90s, international business keeps climbing and, through its numerous subsidiaries, the list of countries in which it has a hold grows. This is the situation in Portugal (Omninstal), Argentina (Elecnor de Argentina), Mexico (Elecnor de México), Uruguay (Montelecnor) and Chile (Elecnor de Chile), among others.

Midway through the decade, Elecnor begins to establish itself in the environmental industry by forming a specific Business Management and becoming majority shareholder in the company Hidroambiente.

Following its strategy of diversification, Elecnor in 1997 decided to create Enerfín in order to work as a promoter and investor in the wind energy market, where it has grown continuously in recent years. Its first projects in Galicia were followed by others in different regions of Spain as well as in Canada and in Brazil, where it has the largest wind farm in the southern hemisphere.

21st Century

The new century kicks off with an outstanding period in Elecnor’s history. Loyal to its roots, it reinforces its position in the traditional electrical, gas and telecommunications services operator market, becoming the industry’s unrivalled leader.

In the railway industry, it culminates an immense technological project which began in 1994 alongside other Spanish companies, having won the bid to electrify the high-speed rail (AVE) between Barcelona and Madrid.

Elecnor’s feats in the field of wind and solar photovoltaic energy make it a major player in renewable energy, both in Spain and abroad. In 2004, Elecnor acquires the company Atersa, and its photovoltaic activity increases exponentially in recent years.

The electric power transmission system concession business becomes one of the Group’s pillars during this time, with the construction and operation of 16 concessions in Brazil and Chile. This commitment to concessions spreads to other markets, as with the water treatment plant market.

Elecnor decided to group its activity in the civil engineering, building and hydraulic works sector into a specific business area, through the company Ehisa Construcciones y Obras, acquired in 2001, the same year in which Deimos Space, the head company of what is today Elecnor Deimos, was incorporated.

The company later proceeded with its continuous internationalization by acquiring companies such as IQA (Scotland), Belco (USA),Elecfrance (France), and recently,Hawkeye (USA).

In short, a long history of continuous growth and diversification which have turned Elecnor, with nearly 60 years of history, into a benchmark business group within its numerous business sectors.

Elecnor - Electricity Infrastructure