Achieving Scottish Business in the Community Large Company of the Year in 2007 was an important endorsement for ScottishPower’s work and to our commitment to environmental and social issues.

2007 was a landmark year for our business with the successful integration of ScottishPower and IBERDROLA.  Through the friendly integration, now successfully completed, we have reinforced our shared commitment to Corporate Responsibility.  

During the year, we announced significant investments in sustainable generation projects and environmental technologies; increased our 2010 target for delivery of wind energy projects in the UK to 1,200 MW and established partnerships that will help secure Scotland’s place as the world leader in marine energy. In addition, we announced the UK’s largest energy crop project and embarked on a major study into cleaner coal generation.

In addition, 2007 marked the establishment of the ScottishPower Advisory Board with membership from leaders in business, finance, public policy and academic research. The Advisory Board is an important link in ensuring our activities are globally coordinated and implemented in the most appropriate way within the UK and Scotland. Our community and sponsorship spend at £4.9 million for last year has increased year on year.

ScottishPower has recently achieved platinum status in Business in the Community’s Corporate Responsibility Index 2007 – the second year in a row that we have been awarded the highest accolade and the first year since our successful integration with Iberdrola.

Ann Loughrey, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at ScottishPower, said: “In a year where Business in the Community’s judging criteria has become tougher, to actually increase our score and retain our platinum status is a remarkable acheivement. ScottishPower has an established culture of community involvement and responsible practice, which has only been reinforced further through our recent intergration with the IEBRDROLA Group who have a strong committment to CSR.

“Corporate responsibility is about developing the strength of our business, while respecting the needs of our stakeholders. We remain committed to being a socially responsible company with best practice in corporate governance, business topics and respect for the environment. This commitment creates a sense of belonging and trust amongst stakeholders – and it is encouraging to receive external recognition of our work in this area.”

The integration with IBERDROLA provides a global platform for our combined Corporate Social Responsibility activities which together with a real and ongoing commitment to the local communities in which we operate, creates real and long lasting benefits for all our stakeholders and society.

ScottishPower’s 2007 online Corporate Responsibility report will be available to view in the next few weeks.  For more information visit www.scottishpower.com