Energy Giant Enel Plans Coal Phaseout

One of the largest energy companies in the world, Enel, will from the looks of it be partnering (in some way or other) with Greenpeace, based on a recent meeting in Rome, Italy.

That meeting was between representatives from Enel that included the CEO, Francesco Starace, and Greenpeace’s International Executive Director Kumi Naidoo + Greenpeace Italia Board Chair Andrea Purgatorial, among others. The meeting reportedly went quite well, as there is now a “shared vision” with regard to an energy system based mostly on renewable sources + energy efficiency.

Worth noting is that while Enel has reportedly committed to gradually phasing out further investment into coal, there are apparently still differences with regard to timing — amongst other things.

A recent press release provides more:

Enel plans to move with Greenpeace in this direction, on a path upon which the new management has already embarked and, by accepting Greenpeace’s invitation, Enel is establishing itself as a progressive company in the international energy industry. Enel’s new strategic commitments are in line with the expressed aims of Greenpeace in their campaigns specifically targeted at Enel, one of the seven largest electricity companies in the world.

Enel shares the same concerns about the global climate expressed by most of the international scientific community as well as the goal to keep the worldwide temperature rise below 2°C. For this reason, and in the lead-up to the Climate Change Conference in Paris, Enel is ready to tackle this challenge and lead the industry’s effort to reach this target. Specifically, the Group believes that it will be able to achieve its own carbon neutrality before the deadline of 2050 in particular by boosting its already significant investment in renewable development and in promoting energy efficiency.

Enel has reportedly already cut its carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by over 36% since 1990 — with 15% of that cut coming during the years of 2007–2013. This puts the company a good bit ahead of the target set for 2020.

Still not sure where my exact opinion on Greenpeace lies… but still good to see a company as large as Enel make further overtures towards renewables, and away from fossil fuels.

Here’s some more recent news from Enel:

Enel Begins Work On 3 Solar PV Plants In South Africa Totalling 231 MW

Enel Reportedly Just Weeks Away From US Renewable Assets Yieldco

Enel Green Power Sees 11.1% Revenue Growth

Image Credit: Enel