Business · Energy & Commodities · 16 hrs ago
Spanish firms take sustainable infrastructure expertise abroad
Spanish engineering firms are taking sustainable infrastructure projects abroad as environmental standards become more important in major contracts.
Governments and lenders are increasingly asking projects to reduce emissions and account for climate risks.
The work spans transport, water and energy, with Europe the most advanced market and demand also growing in Australia and parts of Latin America.
In Turkey, Ferrovial completed a solar installation at Dalaman airport that can cover the terminal’s electricity needs with power generated on its roof.
Its projects also include adapting roads in Australia to heavier rainfall and building part of a London tunnel designed to keep sewage out of the River Thames.
ACS ranks as the world’s largest international contractor by overseas revenue, according to a 2025 ranking cited in the story.
A Spanish-Saudi consortium of 12 Spanish companies, including Renfe, Adif, Talgo and Indra, has also taken Spain’s high-speed rail expertise to Saudi Arabia.
Spanish engineering and construction firms are exporting expertise in sustainable infrastructure projects around the world.
Projects include renewable-powered airport operations, climate-adapted roads and transport, and water infrastructure.
Industry group Seopan attributes the sector’s international reach to its technical capacity, experience with complex works and ability to adapt to local markets.
Environmental requirements for infrastructure contracts have expanded in several markets, including Canada and the United Kingdom.
ACS ranked as the world’s largest international contractor by revenue from work outside its home country in ENR’s 2025 ranking.
- Who
- Spanish engineering and construction firms, including ACS and Ferrovial, are involved.
- What
- They are taking expertise in sustainable infrastructure to projects abroad.
- When
- The article was published on October 31, 2026. It also describes projects delivered or completed in 2025 and earlier.
- Where
- Projects described are in Turkey, Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States and Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- Seopan says the sector’s technical capacity, experience with complex works and ability to adapt to local markets support its international reach.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Canada began requiring evaluation of emissions and climate risks for certain projects seeking federal funds.
The United Kingdom began requiring carbon-reduction plans from applicants for large public contracts.
Turner delivered a LEED Gold-certified building at California State University, Chico.
ACS ranked first in ENR’s ranking of international contractors by revenue earned outside their home countries.
- ACS
- Ranked the world’s largest international contractor by overseas revenue in ENR’s 2025 ranking
- Dalaman airport, Turkey
- 25,500 solar panels generate more than 20,000 megawatt-hours a year
- Dalaman airport, Turkey
- Solar installation avoids about 8,500 tonnes of CO₂ annually
- Coffs Harbour, Australia
- Road and drainage works address projected average precipitation-flow increases of 15%
- Thames Tideway Tunnel, United Kingdom
- 25 kilometres long; Ferrovial built the 12.7-kilometre central section
What people are saying
the most advanced market
especially visible
increases in average precipitation flows of 15%