Environmental care

"ERG believes that the complete compatibility of its activities with the health and safety of workers, the territory, natural resources and the surrounding environment is an essential condition both for the acceptability of its plants and its operational activities, as well as the achievement of its growth objectives. ERG thus constantly works to ensure that the business operations of all Group companies are carried out with full respect for the health and safety of its employees and third parties, as well as the environment, intended in the broadest sense, carefully considering these factors as part of the long-term planning process and encouraging the adoption of environmentally-friendly and energy effi cient technologies." 

(from ERG Group Code of Ethics)


One of our priorities and business responsibilities is the battle against climate change, which is mainly caused by the atmospheric emission of greenhouse gases, largely made up of carbon dioxide.

To reduce and offset greenhouse gases and respect European sustainability targets, for years we have pursued a long-term strategy based on the development of renewable sources, the promotion of energy efficiency, the use of the best techniques available for ensuring a constant reduction in emissions, and the use of fuels with low carbon content (natural gas) to reduce atmospheric pollution.
... the SDGs connected with our commitments in Environmental Sustainability...

CO2 avoided: 2018-2022

CO2 avoided: 2018-2022
To calculate CO2 avoided we have used the gCO2/kWh conversion factor published by Terna in its annual reports and referred to the thermoelectric power output of each country.

Decarbonising our electricity production

Decarbonising our electricity production
The transformation of our Group has enabled us to gradually reduce the carbon intensity of our output over the years.

In this way, at the end of 2018 we had reduced the carbon intensity of our output by 90% since entering the renewable energies sector. In the last four years we have reduced it by 42%.

RES (GWh)/Carbon index (gCO2/kWh)/CO2 avoided (kt) Production

Data series:

Years:

    2018 2017 2016
Production GWh 3,464 3,613 3,501
Load factor   22% 23% 23%
Indirect energy consumption (1) GWh 11.47 (4)11.1 10.9
CO2 avoided  kt 2.050 2.270 2.271
Indirect green energy consumption %   98.6% 82.3% 26.2%
Indirect CO2 emission(2)  kt 0.09 1.4 5.5
Indirect energy consumptions by installed MW MWh/MW 6.07 6.12 6.60
SF6present in the electrical equipment kg 3,230  924 986
SF6 in stock kg 1,424 1,333 n.d.
SF6 top ups kg 0.5 3.2 n.d.
equivalent to tons of CO2 t 12  76 n.d.
F-GAS present in air conditioning systems kg 88 80 90
F-GAS top ups kg 12 - -
equivalent to tons of CO2 t 19 - -
Waste produced t 185 56 50
of which sent to recycling % 53.3% 60.9% n.d.
Waste hazardous produced t 102  35 21
of which sent to recycling t 45 16 n.d.
of which sent to recycling % 44.0% 45.7% n.d.
of which sent to disposal t 49 19 n.d.
of which sent to disposal % 47.7% 54.3% n.d.
Waste non-hazardous produced t 83 21 29
of which sent to recycling t 54 18 n.d.
of which sent to recycling % 65.3% 85.7% n.d.
of which sent to disposal t 23 3 n.d.
of which sent to disposal % 28.1% 14.3% n.d.
 

(1) The increase in consumption is caused by the increase in the plants running.
(2) Value take into consideration the supplies of electricity from renewable production which does not generate emissions; the indirect emissions are calculated on the basis
of the conversion factors relating to the gross thermoelectric production of each country published by Terna on its website (Source: Terna, 2015 international comparisons) according to a Location Based approach.
(3) Data as at end 2018 accounts quantities into the wind turbines (1.870kg) and into plants abroad (436 kg) not accounted in the previous years.
(4) Value recalculated with respect to that indicated into the Non Financial Reporting 2017 due to improved reporting methodology.


 

    2018 2017 2016
Production GWh 1,740 1,144 1,358
Technical availability plants   97.87% 96.63% 96.52%
Energy consumption from primary sources - Diesel fuel(1) litres 32.717 17.000 28.700
Indirect energy consumption GWh 5.46 13.9 7.7
% indirect green energy consumption   100% 100% 100%
CO2 avoided kt 910 631 775
Indirect CO2 emissions (2)  kt - - -
SF6 present in the electrical equipment kg 820 894 894
SF6 in stock kg 321 323 326
SF6 top ups kg 2.0 2.9 n.d.
equivalent to tons of CO2 t 47  68 n.d.
F-GAS present in air conditioning systems kg 189 179 174
F-GAS top ups kg - - -
equivalent to tons of CO2 t - - -
Total releases from concession (MVF) milioni di m3 957 1.057 970
Waste produced  t 2.861 2.866 2.747
of which sent to recycling % 99.4% 99.0% 74.0%
Rifiuti pericolosi prodotti t 13  12 3,0
of which sent to recycling t 9 11 2,4.
of which sent to recycling % 72.1% 91.7% 80.0%
of which sent to disposal t 4 1 0.6
of which sent to disposal % 27.9% 8.3% 20.0%
Rifiuti non pericolosi prodotti t 2,848 2,854 29
of which sent to recycling t 2,835 2,827 n.d.
of which sent to recycling % 99.5% 99.1% n.d.
of which sent to disposal t 13 27 2,610
of which sent to disposal % 0.5% 0.9% n.d.
of which waste removed from rivers and water basins
(wood and grate cleaning residues)(3)		 t 2,685 2,525 2,610
of which sent to disposal   100% 100% (4)77%

(1) Il gasolio viene utilizzato per alimentare i gruppi di continuità e per il riscaldamento degli uffici, non vengono calcolate emissioni su questi consumi in quanto il dato rappresenta gli acquisti e non i consumi, inoltre non sono previsti sistemi di consuntivazione.
(2) Il dato 2016 e 2017 tengono in considerazione le forniture di energia elettrica da produzioni rinnovabili che non generano emissioni; le emissioni indirette vengono calcolate in base al fattore di conversione riferito alla produzione lorda termoelettrica di ciascun Paese pubblicato da Terna sul proprio sito (Fonte: Terna, Confronti internazionali 2015) e secondo l'approccio Location-based.
(3) Il legname e i residui di sgrigliatura rimossi dai fiumi rappresentano una parte del totale dei rifiuti prodotti. Vengono rappresentati in modo separato per evidenziare il contributo del lavoro svolto a favore del territorio e della sicurezza idrogeologica degli alvei.
(4) Le attività di conferimento all'impianto di recupero sono iniziate a maggio 2016.
(5)Valore corretto rispetto alla Dichiarazione 2017 (13,9 GWh) a seguito di verifiche successive sui consumi. Rettifica effettuata per consentire una corretta visione del trend dei consumi.

(1) The diesel fuel is used to fuel power supply continuity systems and for office heating; emissions are not calculated for this consumption, as the figure represents the purchases and not the consumption, furthermore no final balance is drawn up.
(2) Indirect emissions are calculated on the basis of the conversion factors relating to the thermoelectric production of each country published by Terna on its website (Terna, international comparisons)according to the Location Based approach.
(3) Wood and grate cleaning residues removed from the rivers represent a portion of the total waste produced. They are reported separately to point out the contribution given by the activities for the territory and the hydro-geological safety of river-beds.
(4) Transfer activities to the recycling facility started in May 2016.
(5) Data updated from 2017 reporting (13.9GWh) due to subsequent checks on plant's consumption. Update made in order to show the correct trend over the years.

    2018 2017 2016
Production GWh 2,151 2,453 2,693
ERG Power performance index(1)   64.8% 63.2% 62.4%
Energy consumption (primary sources)        
  TEP 422,212 472,468 507,738
  thousand m3 493,556 550,876 592,765
% Indirect green energy consumption   14.3% 15.3% 5.8%
Indirect energy consumption (2) GWh - 1,63 1,58
Indirect energy consumption (2)(4) GWh 0.89 0.79 0.75
Indirect CO2 emissions(3) kt 1.008 1.130 1.216
Indirect CO2 emissions(2) kt - 0.8 0.8
Indirect CO2 emissions (2)(4)  t 0,4 0.4 0.4
NO X emissions(3) t 340 364 394
CO emission t 42 44 46
SF6 present in the electrical equipment kg 13.077 13.061 13.061
SF6 in stock kg 332 370 n.d.
SF6 top ups kg 11 16 5
equivalent to tons of CO2 t 266 376 117
F-GAS present in air conditioning systems kg 944 823 10
F-GAS top ups kg 3 132 n.d.
equivalent to tons of CO2 kg 4 220 n.d.
Thermoelectric CO2 index  kt/GWheq 0.399 0.408 0.404
Thermoelectric NOX index  t/GWheq 0.13 0.13 0.13
Thermoelectric CO index  t/GWheq 0.017 0.016 0.015
Seawater withdrawals for plant cooling systems million m3 197 200 217
Well water withdrawals million m3 6 5 6
Water returned to the natural cycle % of withdrawals  96.8% 97.1% 97.1%
Cooling water returned to the natural cycle  million m3 197 200 217
Water resource use index
demineralised water plant		 % water produced/
inbound water		 58.6% 63.8% 64.2%
Waste produced t 1,546 2,079 3,715
of which sent to recycling % 54.6% 65.3% n.d.
Waste hazardous produced t 174 291 351
of which sent to recycling t 74 110 n.d.
of which sent to recycling % 42.7% 37.8% n.d.
of which sent to disposal t 99 181 n.d.
of which sent to disposal % 57.3% 62.2% n.d.
Waste non-hazardous produced t 1.373 1.788 3.364
di cui avviati a recupero t 770 1.247 n.d.
di cui avviati a recupero % 56.1% 69.7% n.d.
of which sent to disposal t 603 541 n.d.
of which sent to disposal t 43.9% 30.3% n.d.

(1) Index of "1st principle overall performance" calculated in accordance with the procedures laid down by Ministerial Decree of 5 September 2011 (CAR).
(2) Indirect emissions are calculated on the basis of the conversion factors relating to the thermoelectric production of each country published by Terna on its website (Terna,
international comparisons)according to the Location Based approach.
(3) The figures relating to the atmospheric emissions are consistent with the annual data reported for the purposes of the E-PRTR Register and with the EU-ETS declarations.
(4) la variazione è determinata dalla modifica dell'assetto di impianto che permette una più precisa contabilizzazione dei consumi. La rettifica viene esposta per consentire
una corretta visione dei trend dei consumi.

    2018 2017 2016
Produzioni GWh 130 n,a. n.a.
Technical availability plants   79.10 n.a. n.a.
CO2  avoided  kt 67.99 n.a. n.a.
Indirect energy consumption GWh 1.16 n.a. n.a.
Indirect green energy consumption   3.1% - -
Indirect CO2 emissions  kt 0.6 n.a. n.a.
SF6 present in the electrical equipment kg 9.80 n.a. n.a.
SF6 top ups kg - n.a. n.a.
equivalent to tons ofCO2 t - n.a. n.a.
Area covered by photovoltaic plants m2 630,291 n.a. n.a.
Water used for panel cleaning m3 494 n.a. n.a.
Waste produced(1) t - n.a. n.a.
di cui avviati a recupero % - n.a. n.a.
Waste hazardous produced t - n.a. n.a
of which sent to recycling t - n.a. n.a.
of which sent to recycling % - n.a. n.a.
of which sent to disposal t - n.a. n.a.
of which sent to disposal % - n.a. n.a.
Waste non-hazardous produced t - n.a. n.a.
of which sent to recycling t - n.a. n.a.
of which sent to recycling % - n.a. n.a.
of which sent to disposal t - n.a. n.d.
of which sent to disposal t - n.a. n.a.

(1) In 2018 the Operation & Maintenance activities have been performed by third parties.

    2018 2017 2016
Indirect energy consumption MWh 1,333 1,154 1,280
Indirect C02 emissions(1)   371 363 607

(1) Value take into consideration the supplies of electricity from renewable production which does not generate emissions; the indirect emissions are calculated on the basis of the conversion factors relating to the gross thermoelectric production of each country published by Terna on its website (Source: Terna, 2015 international comparisons) according to a Location Based approach.


Wastes: wastes produced in offices are disposed of as municipal waste and therefore quantities are not accounted for.
Water consumptions: the consumptions of water in the offices refers exclusively to uses for sanitary purposes and are part of the condominium services, therefore are not accounted. They are non-material with respect to the business.

    2018 2017 2016
Produzione totale di energia elettrica GWh 7,485 7,209 7,552
di cui da fonti rinnovabili GWh 5,334 4,756 4,859
Vendite di energia elettrica GWh 13,627 11,747 12,303
Quota di mercato produzione di energia elettrica Italia   2.15% 2.00% 2.28%
Quota di mercato vendite di energia elettrica Italia   3.78% 3,20% 2.55%
Consumi energetici diretti (metano) TEP 422,212 472,468 507,738
Consumi energetici diretti (metano) Nm3 493,556 550,876 592,765
CO2  evitata kt 3,029 2,901 2,993
Emissioni Scope 1 generate dalla produzione di energia kt 1,008 1,130 1,216
Altre emissioni di Scope 1 (2) kt 1.4 1.0 0.2
Consumi energetici indiretti totali GWh - 27,7 21,5
Consumi energetici indiretti totali GWh 20.3 20.9 21.2
% energia elettrica proveniente da fonti green   86% 84% 51%
Emissioni Scope 2 (1) kt 1.5 2.2 6.6
Emissioni scope 3 kt 31,726 2,504 2,713
di cui generate da energia rivenduta kt 3,213 2,504 2,713
di cui generate da capital goods kt 28,513 n.d. n.d.
Rifiuti prodotti t 4,591 5,001 6,512
di cui avviati a recupero t 3,786 4,230 3,901
di cui avviati a recupero   82% 85% 60%
di cui non pericolosi t 4,304 4,663 6,137
di cui non pericolosi   94% 93% 94%

(1) The indirect emissions are calculated on the basis of the conversion factors relating to the gross thermoelectric production of each country published by Terna on its
website (Source: Terna, international comparisons) and according to the Location Based and Market based approach.
(2) The variation is determined by the inclusion of the company technical fleet not previously accounted for. The emissions generated by vehicles allocated for mixed use were counted at 50%.

Data and indicators
(from ERG 2018 Sustainability Report - Consolidated Non-Financial Reporting drawn up pursuant to Italian Leg. Decree 254/2016)