In March 2009, Enel’s CEO was among the 60 leaders of European power companies who - as part of an initiative taken by Eurelectric - committed to achieving a carbon-neutral European electricity industry by 2050. This is an ambitious commitment, which will translate not only into a sharp increase of zero-emission power generation (from renewable and nuclear sources), but also into a radical shift in consumption patterns (for instance, energy efficiency and greater reliance on electricity, e.g. in transport).
Crucial factors in moving towards the new scenario without sudden shocks in the economic system will include fast deployment of Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS) technologies and emission credits from international offset mechanisms (e.g. the Kyoto Protocol Clean Development Mechanism – CDM).
Enel’s strategy rests upon five pillars, which cover all the main elements of carbon neutrality:
- Use of the best available technologies: Enel’s generating mix is progressively evolving towards 100% high-efficiency - and thus low-emission - power plants;
- development of zero-emission sources, e.g. renewables and nuclear: Enel is consolidating its long-standing leadership in renewables through a dedicated company - Enel Green Power - and plans to gradually increase the nuclear share of the Group’s generating mix;
- energy efficiency: Enel plans to enhance the efficiency of its grids and to take end-use efficiency initiatives relying, among others, on the Group’s energy service companies;
- research & innovation: Enel allocated a little less than € 1 billion in the 2009-2013 period to CCS demonstration projects, development of innovative solar technologies, smart grids and power-driven mobility dissemination.
- global commitment to curbing CO2 emissions through dissemination of projects and best practices in East-European and developing countries, resorting, among others, to the Kyoto Protocol flexible mechanisms (Clean Development Mechanism – CDM – and Joint Implementation – JI), in which the Group stands as a worldwide leader.
