Iberdrola España, through its Fundación, and Albacete City Council unveil the new lighting of the Cathedral of St John the Baptist

Through this project, the Fundación Iberdrola España is helping to highlight one of the key landmarks of Castilla-La Mancha’s historical and religious heritage, strengthening its presence and significance within the region’s architectural landscape.
This agreement forms part of the many initiatives organised to mark Iberdrola’s 125th anniversary and bring its legacy closer to society as a whole.

Art and culture

Officials inaugurate the lighting of Albacete cathedral with a commemorative plaque during a night event.

From today, the Cathedral of St John the Baptist in Albacete features a renewed exterior ornamental lighting system that enhances its artistic, heritage and spiritual value. This initiative has been promoted by Iberdrola España, through its Fundación, in collaboration with the Diocese of Albacete and Albacete City Council. The project is part of an agreement between the three institutions to equip the cathedral with modern, efficient lighting that is fully respectful of its surroundings.

This transformation, with an investment of €150,000, has brought to life a project designed not only to illuminate a cathedral, but also to highlight an essential part of the cultural soul of Castilla-La Mancha. Using state-of-the-art LED technology, the initiative delivers sustainability, modernity and a 63% reduction in electricity consumption, while preserving the building’s essence. As a result, the cathedral now shines with renewed light, firmly rooted in its history in the heart of the La Mancha plains.

The inauguration ceremony, held at the cathedral, was attended by numerous dignitaries, including Emiliano García-Page, President of the Regional Government of Castilla-La Mancha; the Mayor of Albacete, Manuel Serrano López, accompanied by councillors Francisco Navarro, Elena Serrallé, Julián Garijo, Llanos Navarro, Rosa González de la Aleja and Alberto Reina; the Bishop of Albacete, Monsignor Ángel Román Idígoras; the Vicar General of the Diocese, Julián Ros; Mario Ruiz-Tagle, CEO of Iberdrola España; Santiago Martínez Garrido, Secretary General and Secretary of the Board of Iberdrola; Jaime Alfonsín Alfonso, President of the Fundación Iberdrola España; Ramón Castresana, Director of the Fundación; and Óscar Narros, the company’s institutional delegate in Castilla-La Mancha, among others.

Jaime Alfonsín, President of the Fundación Iberdrola España, stated: “For the Fundación Iberdrola España, illuminating Albacete Cathedral means supporting the city in preserving one of its greatest symbols. This new lighting, conceived with both respect for tradition and a commitment to modernity, seeks to enhance the temple’s quiet beauty and offer citizens a glow that strengthens their connection with their history and collective identity.” He also noted that, throughout the year, Iberdrola has organised a wide range of activities to mark its 125th anniversary, aimed at society as a whole.

Emiliano García-Page highlighted the commitment of the Fundación Iberdrola España to the conservation and enhancement of historical heritage through sustainable technological solutions, emphasising that such initiatives “demonstrate that it is possible to reconcile heritage protection with energy efficiency and environmental responsibility.” He also stressed that collaboration between public institutions and private companies enables the promotion of projects that “strengthen collective identity, improve the image of our cities and create opportunities linked to tourism and culture.” García-Page underlined that initiatives such as the new lighting of Albacete Cathedral show how innovation applied to heritage “helps project a modern Castilla-La Mancha, committed to sustainability and proud of its historical legacy.”

Bishop Ángel Román Idígoras expressed his gratitude to the Fundación Iberdrola España and Albacete City Council for making the cathedral’s exterior lighting possible. “I would also like to thank Noemí Barbero for the sensitivity and Christian spirituality she has brought to this lighting design,” he added. “Light enables the building to speak with both strength and gentleness. It stands as a beacon in the night, a place of listening and welcome, like a mother who constantly watches over her children. All who see it will be able to contemplate and enjoy the beauty of the building, and feel reassured by the sense that we are accompanied. ‘I walk with you,’ Jesus tells us –and so does the Church.”

The Mayor of Albacete, Manuel Serrano López, highlighted the collaboration with the Fundación Iberdrola España, noting that “thanks to the social responsibility of a leading company, our cathedral now features new ornamental lighting that allows one of our most emblematic monuments to shine as it deserves, within the framework of Iberdrola’s 125th anniversary.” In his view, “this strengthens the role of the cathedral as a symbol of Albacete’s identity, as well as the home and seat of our patron saint, the Virgin of Los Llanos.” He added: “We aim to showcase the city’s historical heritage and share it with our residents, so we can take pride in our roots, while also offering it as an attraction for visitors, as tourism is a key driver of economic and social development.”

The Fundación Iberdrola España: promoting art and culture

One of the main areas of activity of Iberdrola España, through its Fundación, focuses on the protection, conservation and promotion of historical and artistic heritage. The Lighting Programme aims to carry out interventions in emblematic buildings to install or improve interior and/or exterior lighting systems, contributing to the enhancement of cultural heritage. In Castilla-La Mancha, the Fundación has undertaken projects including: the interior and exterior lighting of the Cristo de la Luz Mosque; the façade of the San Bernardo Chapel in Oropesa; the tower of the Church of Santo Tomé in Toledo; the interior of the Santa María la Blanca Synagogue; the refurbishment of the permanent collection galleries at the Army Museum; the façade of the Monastery of Uclés in Cuenca; the interior of the church in Valdepeñas (Ciudad Real); the Basilica of Nuestra Señora del Prado in Talavera de la Reina; Sigüenza’s Plaza Mayor and cathedral (Guadalajara); the Roman Bridge in Talavera de la Reina; as well as the lighting of the historic windmills of Campo de Criptana, the Henares Bridge in Guadalajara, the San Antón Bridge in Cuenca, and the Fuente Agria fountain in Puertollano.

Iberdrola España, through its Fundación, and Albacete City Council unveil the new lighting of the Cathedral of St John the Baptist

Iberdrola España, through its Fundación, and Albacete City Council unveil the new lighting of the Cathedral of St John the Baptist

Iberdrola España, through its foundation, is supporting the National Archaeological Museum in the restoration of 187 Roman glass artefacts

Iberdrola España, through its foundation, and Puertollano Town Council inaugurate the new decorative lighting for the Fuente Agria fountain

Iberdrola España, through its Foundation, promotes "El Prado en las Calles" in Cehegín (Murcia)

We are celebrating 125 years together