Endesa
Corporate brand
UnclaimedA major Spanish electricity and energy company focused on power generation, distribution, supply, and the energy transition.
Last updated November 4, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile yet.
Overview
Endesa, S.A. is a Spanish electric utility and energy company headquartered in Madrid. Established in 1944 as Empresa Nacional de Electricidad, S.A., it was created during Spain's postwar period to expand national electricity production and reduce shortages in areas where existing hydroelectric capacity could not meet demand. The company began with a strong connection to coal-fired generation, including the Compostilla project in León, while also developing mobile generating units intended to respond quickly to local supply emergencies. Over time, Endesa grew from a state-founded generator into one of Spain's largest integrated utilities. Its activities have included electricity generation, transmission-related infrastructure, distribution, retail supply, natural-gas commercialization, and renewable-energy development. The company has operated power stations using nuclear, coal, gas, hydroelectric, wind, solar, and other renewable resources. Its customer-facing business supplies electricity and gas to households, businesses, and institutions, while its generation portfolio has historically served the Spanish system and selected international markets. Endesa became a central participant in the consolidation of the Spanish and European electricity industries. In 1997, it adopted the shorter Endesa name. In 2004, it took control of the French electricity company SNET, although that business was later involved in the asset disposals associated with Endesa's takeover process. From 2005 through 2007, Endesa was the subject of competing bids from Gas Natural, E.ON, and a consortium formed by Acciona and Enel. The contest became one of the most significant corporate transactions in Spain's energy sector and attracted political and regulatory scrutiny because of its possible effects on competition and national control of electricity assets. Acciona and Enel completed a joint takeover in 2007. Enel subsequently purchased Acciona's holding in 2009 and became Endesa's controlling shareholder. Endesa has since operated as a listed subsidiary of the Italian Enel Group, while retaining its own Spanish corporate identity and stock-market presence. Its strategic direction has increasingly reflected the decarbonization priorities of the wider group, including renewable generation, grid modernization, electrification, energy services, and electric mobility. Renewables have become a major part of Endesa's development model. Through its relationship with Enel Green Power, the company has participated in Spanish hydroelectric, wind, solar, and biomass projects. Endesa has also promoted electric-vehicle charging and smart-grid initiatives, including participation in European research consortia and a large Spanish charging-infrastructure program announced in 2018. That program targeted thousands of public charging points and a much larger network of private installations during the following years. Endesa remains one of the three dominant electricity companies in Spain, alongside Iberdrola and Naturgy. Its present business combines conventional and renewable generation, electricity and gas retailing, distribution activities, customer services, and solutions linked to energy efficiency and sustainable mobility. The company continues to face the structural challenges affecting European utilities: reducing carbon intensity, managing legacy thermal and nuclear assets, investing in networks and renewable capacity, responding to regulatory intervention, and maintaining affordable and reliable supply during the energy transition.
History
Endesa was created in 1944 as Empresa Nacional de Electricidad, S.A., a state-founded company intended to strengthen Spain's electricity system. Its early development took place in a period marked by fuel constraints, regional shortages, and limited generation capacity. The company's first major project was Compostilla I, a coal-fired power station whose construction began in 1945 and which opened at Ponferrada in 1949. Its location near coal mines reduced fuel-transport requirements. Compostilla II opened in the neighboring municipality of Cubillos del Sil in 1965 and later replaced the original facility as the principal installation. Endesa also acquired mobile generating units to address urgent supply problems in cities and regions including Seville, Barcelona, Cartagena, Asturias, and Mallorca. These units were informally associated with the company's role as an emergency responder in the electricity system. The company subsequently expanded its generation portfolio beyond coal, adding or operating nuclear, hydroelectric, fossil-fuel, and later renewable facilities. The company became increasingly important in the restructuring and consolidation of Spain's electricity industry. In 1997 it changed its legal name to Endesa, S.A. In 2004 it took control of the French utility SNET, but its international asset base was later reshaped during the takeover battle that followed. Endesa's growth and strategic importance made it an attractive target for larger European energy companies. In September 2005, Gas Natural announced a bid for Endesa. Endesa's board rejected the proposal, and Spanish competition authorities later opposed the proposed merger on competition grounds. During 2006 and 2007, E.ON and the Italian utility Enel, together with Spain's Acciona, became involved in competing acquisition efforts. The contest generated political controversy over competition, ownership, and the future structure of Spain's energy industry. Acciona and Enel ultimately completed a joint takeover in 2007. Enel bought Acciona's interest in 2009, leaving Endesa as a majority-controlled subsidiary of the Enel Group. After the takeover, Endesa continued as a listed Spanish company while its strategic orientation became more closely connected with Enel's international portfolio. The company retained substantial activities in electricity generation, distribution, retailing, gas, and customer services. Renewable development gained importance through Endesa's relationship with Enel Green Power. In 2016, Endesa and the Enel Group completed a transaction concerning the Spanish business of Enel Green Power Spain, in which Endesa acquired the remaining interest needed to consolidate the Spanish operation. The business included hydroelectric, wind, solar, and biomass plants. Endesa has also pursued electrification beyond power generation. It participated in European electric-vehicle and smart-grid research initiatives such as ELVIRE and G4V, and it worked with public and private partners on charging demonstrations. In 2018, it announced a large-scale Spanish charging-infrastructure plan, targeting public charging points together with a substantially larger number of private installations over the 2019–2023 period. Employee mobility programs were intended to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles within the workforce. Today, Endesa is one of Spain's principal integrated electric utilities. Its business is shaped by the transition away from carbon-intensive generation, the expansion of renewable capacity, electrification of transport and heating, digitalization of networks, and the need to provide reliable and affordable energy. The company remains publicly traded but is controlled by Enel, and its principal operating focus is Spain, with additional activity connected to Iberian and wider European energy markets.
- 2018
Electric mobility infrastructure plan announced
[1]Endesa announced a major plan to expand public and private electric-vehicle charging infrastructure in Spain.
- 2016
Spanish Enel Green Power business consolidated
[1]Endesa and the Enel Group completed a transaction involving the Spanish operations of Enel Green Power Spain.
- 2009
Enel becomes controlling shareholder
[1]Enel bought Acciona's stake and consolidated control of Endesa.
- 2007
Acciona and Enel acquire control
[1]The two companies completed a joint takeover after a prolonged contest involving Gas Natural and E.ON.
- 2004
Control of SNET acquired
[1]Endesa took control of the French electricity and thermal-generation company SNET.
- 1997
Corporate name changed to Endesa
[1]The company adopted Endesa, S.A. as its corporate name.
- 1965
Compostilla II inaugurated
[1]The larger Compostilla II station opened at Cubillos del Sil and later became the principal replacement for Compostilla I.
- 1949
Compostilla I inaugurated
[1]The coal-fired Compostilla I power station entered service on July 28.
- 1945
Construction begins on Compostilla I
[1]Construction started on Endesa's first major production plant near Ponferrada in the León region.
- 1944
Company founded as Empresa Nacional de Electricidad
[1]Endesa was established as a state-founded Spanish electricity company to expand national generation capacity.
Products and positioning
A leading Spanish integrated utility combining large-scale electricity operations with renewable development, electrification, and energy-transition services.
Power generation
Electricity generation
Endesa operates and has historically operated a diversified generation portfolio including nuclear, coal, gas, hydroelectric, wind, solar, and biomass facilities. The portfolio has been progressively reshaped by Spain's decarbonization agenda and the wider Enel Group's emphasis on renewable capacity.
Retail energy
Electricity supply
Endesa sells electricity to residential, commercial, and institutional customers, principally in Spain and the Iberian market. Its retail activity includes customer contracts, billing, energy plans, and services associated with household and business electricity consumption.
Retail energy
Natural gas
Natural-gas commercialization has been part of Endesa's integrated energy offering. The business serves customers who use gas for household, commercial, or industrial purposes and complements the company's electricity supply activities.
Renewable generation · 2008
Renewable energy
Through its Spanish renewable-energy operations and relationship with Enel Green Power, Endesa develops and operates hydroelectric, wind, solar, and biomass projects. Renewable generation is central to the company's long-term strategy as fossil-fuel assets are reduced and clean electricity capacity expands.
Energy-transition services · 2018
Electric-vehicle charging
Endesa provides electric-mobility services and has promoted public and private charging infrastructure in Spain. Its initiatives are intended to make charging more accessible, support vehicle electrification, and connect mobility demand with electricity networks and renewable generation.
Controversies
2021
Prosecutors sue Endesa over bird deaths linked to power lines
Barcelona prosecutors filed suit against Endesa, alleging that the company failed to adequately insulate its power lines and pylons, contributing to the deaths of hundreds of birds. The lawsuit says 255 birds died in the Osona region between 2018 and 2020.
Marketing campaigns
- 2018Recharging Infrastructures Plan
Spain
Endesa announced a large program to install public charging points and support the development of private charging infrastructure, aiming to address limited charging access as a barrier to electric-vehicle adoption.
Outcome. Planned expansion of charging infrastructure during 2019–2023; independently verified completion data is not provided in the reference material.
- Electric Mobility Plan for Employees
Spain
Endesa ran employee electric-mobility editions intended to encourage staff members to use electric vehicles and build internal adoption of low-emission transport.
Outcome. The reference material describes a fifth edition and a target for additional employee participation, but does not establish the final result.
- Electric-vehicle charging and smart-grid initiatives
Europe · Spain
Endesa participated in ELVIRE and G4V consortia and supported demonstrations linking electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, electricity suppliers, and smart grids.
Outcome. The initiatives contributed to research and demonstration of integrated electric-mobility systems; a commercial outcome is not specified.
Brand decisions
2018
Electric-mobility infrastructure expansionStrategyBackground
Limited access to charging points was identified as a barrier to wider electric-vehicle adoption in Spain.
Action taken
Endesa announced a plan for thousands of public charging points and more than one hundred thousand private points during the 2019–2023 period.
Aftermath
The initiative positioned charging infrastructure and sustainable mobility as important elements of Endesa's energy-transition offering.
2016
Consolidation of Spanish Enel Green Power operationsM&ABackground
The Enel Group reorganized ownership of its Spanish renewable-energy activities.
Action taken
Endesa acquired the Enel Group's remaining interest in the Spanish-market portion of Enel Green Power Spain.
Aftermath
Endesa consolidated a substantial Spanish renewable portfolio covering hydroelectric, wind, solar, and biomass facilities.
2009
Enel buys Acciona's Endesa stakeM&ABackground
Endesa had been jointly controlled by Acciona and Enel following their 2007 takeover.
Action taken
Enel agreed to purchase Acciona's interest and consolidated its position as Endesa's controlling shareholder.
Aftermath
Endesa became a controlled subsidiary of Enel while continuing to trade as a listed Spanish company.
2007
Joint takeover by Acciona and EnelM&ABackground
Endesa had become the target of competing bids from Gas Natural and E.ON, creating a prolonged strategic and regulatory contest.
Action taken
Acciona and Enel completed a joint acquisition and obtained majority control of Endesa.
Aftermath
The company was initially jointly managed, while selected assets were sold or transferred in connection with the transaction.
Estimated transaction value. €42.5 billion estimated takeover value (2007)
- E.ON — E.ON withdrew its bid in exchange for an arrangement under which competing bidders would sell it selected Endesa assets.
2004
Acquisition of control of SNETM&ABackground
Endesa sought to expand its European electricity operations through the French thermal and electricity company SNET.
Action taken
Endesa took control of SNET.
Aftermath
SNET later became associated with asset disposals made during the Endesa takeover process.
1997
Adoption of the Endesa corporate nameStrategyBackground
The company had operated under the longer name Empresa Nacional de Electricidad, S.A. since its creation.
Action taken
It changed its corporate name to Endesa, S.A.
Aftermath
The shorter name became the company's principal corporate and consumer identity.
Recent events
Reported
Endesa confirms its outlook[4]
Reuters reported that Endesa confirmed its outlook after a 15% profit increase.
Reported
Prosecutors sue Endesa over bird deaths linked to power lines[3]
Barcelona prosecutors filed suit against Endesa, alleging that the company failed to adequately insulate its power lines and pylons, contributing to the deaths of hundreds of birds. The lawsuit says 255 birds died in the Osona region between 2018 and 2020.
Sources5 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/endesa · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled