Fair and sustainable energy transition

Energy transition consists of two basic elements: The development of renewable energies, together with technological hybridisation, and decarbonisation. Both processes go hand in hand.

The Enel Group is leading the way in energy transition following the principles established in the UN 2030 agenda and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Within this context, the most important SDG is number 13: Climate action. 

With regard to climate action, we would like to highlight two key elements: The elimination of fossil fuels and the introduction of renewable energy sources. With regard to the last point, we are the first private group in the world with 45 GW of current consolidated installed renewable capacity and the forecast is to reach 60 GW by 2027. If to this we add managed capacity, the figures are even more astonishing: 49 GW today and 68 GW by 2023.

The main goal of renewable energy sources is to replace fossil fuels, which are the main cause of climate change. That is why we are shutting down all of our coal-fired plants. The initial target was to be able to complete this process by 2030, but in the end this date has been brought forward to 2027. The old plants are not going to be wasted: They are going to be converted into energy centres using renewable sources and with batteries for energy storage. In some cases, natural gas is being used as a temporary solution during energy transition.

By transforming the old power plants, we are also guided by circular economy principles. The idea is that nothing should be wasted, as it can be re-used and recycled. These are the principles we are currently applying at our plants in Chile, Italy and Spain, but the plan is to extend them to the other countries where we operate.

In all our activities we take social and environmental sustainability into account. We closely involve local communities in the decision-making process. All our projects are designed to create shared value, both in terms of social-economic development and biodiversity in the territories where we operate.

This is because we firmly believe that energy transition should be fair, sustainable and inclusive.