- The Cruïlla Festival and Endesa today published an ambitious Sustainability Plan that includes a main milestone: To be the first large-format festival in Spain where the energy supply is one hundred percent from renewable sources.
- Powering all the activity during the four days of the Cruïlla Festival by connecting to Endesa's electricity grid will avoid the emission of 36,000 kg of CO2 and avoid the consumption of 13,600 litres of diesel fuel.
- The latest edition of the Cruïlla Festival also defends the importance of kilometre zero together with efficient, ecological transport options. It is also the beginning along the road to becoming a zero waste event.
From 5 to 8 July the Parc del Fórum in Barcelona will be the venue for an ephemeral event which will be attended by tens of thousands of fans enjoying more than 50 concerts on five stages, as well as artistic experiences, comedy, gastronomy and innovative initiatives as part of an immersive, sensory, musical experience. And all this while enjoying the first-hand experience of the first large-format festival where all energy required comes from one hundred percent renewable sources.
In figures, this represents saving the consumption of 13,600 litres of fuel and as a result avoiding the emission of 36,000 kilos of CO2 into the atmosphere. This is equivalent to the emissions produced during a trip of 300,000 kilometres in a diesel-powered car, or in other words using the same vehicle to travel around the globe earth 7.5 times. To absorb these emissions you would need to plant 1,795 trees.
The festival manager, Jordi Herreruela, affirms that "For Cruïlla it has always been a priority for the festival to be as sustainable as possible. That is why this year we have taken a number of measures which include progressing from simply being a festival without plastics to taking a step along the path towards a 0 waste festival. We have once again restricted the capacity in the enclosure, focussing on fans from the local area, since most of the emissions produced by a festival come from those travelling to the venue. This year we will also become the first major festival powered by 100% renewable energy as a result of the collaboration with Endesa, all with the aim of becoming a benchmark for other major events."
Isabel Buesa, Endesa's Territorial Manager in Catalonia, pointed out that "we have been working on this objective since we started on our journey a year ago to become a sustainable sponsor in the world of music and we are very pleased to be able to make this announcement. Phasing out fossil fuels and replacing them with renewable energy is just one of the many pioneering steps we have taken and will undoubtedly pave the way for reducing the environmental impact of many other major festivals."
The process making it possible to completely "plug in" Cruïlla Festival began months ago with an analysis of both the energy requirements and the existing electrical infrastructure that powers the area where the Forum is located. As Mr Herreruela said, "the intense collaboration between Cruïlla, Endesa and BSM enabled us to find a solution that will make the common goal possible: A sustainable festival connected to the electricity grid and using 100% renewable energy."
From a technical point of view, it has been ensured that the medium-voltage distribution network that feeds the area is suitably prepared and has sufficient power to respond to the energy requirements of the Cruïlla Festival. Ms Buesa also assures that Endesa "has activated a specific surveillance plan for the Festival, which will consist of a prior review of all the installations and making teams of people available who will be able to respond to any needs that may arise."
Sustainable Cruïlla by Endesa
Another of the great revolutions in Cruïlla is the transformation from a zero plastics festival to a zero waste festival with the use of reusable and returnable drinking glasses, which can be used about 150 times in many other festivals because the glasses do not incorporate the Cruïlla brand; the provision of free water fountains and the use of recycled aluminum canteens for the staff. All this strengthens the waste reduction plan; and there is a new approach to physical merchandising which involves setting up an on-site printing system that makes it possible for those attending to wear the clothes they brought from home and to print the Cruïlla logo on them.
To continue growing from this "Sustainable Cruïlla by Endesa" model, the festival is looking to the future. This will involve making a study of the impact of the carbon footprint and an audit on the waste stream under the tutelage of the Waste Agency of Catalonia; together with awareness campaigns and compensation for emissions. All this with the aim of generating methodology and sharing the results and what is learned with the events sector as a whole.
Other proposals: Responsible Mobility and Sustainable Festival Challenge
According to recent studies, 80% of the CO2 impact from large events comes from the audience travelling to the venue, especially when the events are designed to attract international audiences. 95% of those attending Cruïlla are local people and most of them come on foot or by public transport. During the Cruïlla Festival, and with the collaboration of Renfe, TRAM and Moventis, access roads will be adapted to minimise pollution during travel. With the support of Endesa, there will be promotion of zero-emission mobility and this will involve providing free parking spaces for electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids. Continuing with the importance of kilometre zero, the festival will also give precedence to local suppliers and local products, and it will restrict the capacity of the Parc del Fòrum to a maximum of 25,000 people each day to reduce the pressure on the environment.
About Endesa
Endesa is a leading electricity company in Spain and the second largest in Portugal. The company is also the second largest gas operator in the Spanish market. Endesa operates an end-to-end electricity generation, distribution and marketing business. Through Endesa X, it also offers value-added services aimed at the electrification of energy usage in homes, companies, industries and Public Administrations. It is also the leading operator of charging stations in Spain through Endesa X Way, a business line dedicated entirely to electric mobility. Endesa is firmly committed to the United Nations SDGs and strongly supports the development of renewable energies through Enel Green Power España, the digitalisation of grids through e-distribución and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The Endesa Foundation is also active in CSR. Our workforce numbers around 9,260 employees. Endesa is a division of Enel, Europe’s largest electricity group.
About the Cruilla Festival
The Cruïlla Festival will be held from 5 to 8 July at the Parc del Fòrum in Barcelona. An iconic city and unbeatable surroundings: In the open air and facing the sea. The chance to enjoy an unrepeatable experience. At Cruïlla 2023 there will be performances by artists such as Placebo, The Offspring, Sigur Rós, Alt-J, Franz Ferdinand, Leiva, Antònia Font, Rubén Blades and many others, and those attending will also be able to enjoy art, performances, comedy shows and an extensive culinary offer.