sustainability
Environmental dimension

At EDPR we protect the environment complementing our strategy of fighting against climate change with a responsible management of the environment along the whole value chain.

Key areas

climate

biodiversity

Naturalresources

Environmental management

life cycle approach

Wind power is one of the most environmentally friendly ways of producing energy.
Even though our business inherently implies a positive impact on the environment,
we continue to work on a daily basis to hold ourselves to a higher standard.

1. Materials and components
2. Wind farm set up
3. Operation stage
4. End of useful life
1. Materials and components
Incorporate respect for the environment and management of environmental aspects in all phases of business processes throughout the value chain is one of the pillars of our environmental strategy.
Life cycle assessments revealed that most wind farm and solar plant environmental impacts are concentrated in the raw materials’ extraction and components’ manufacturing stages.
EDPR is not directly involved in those upstream processes but is committed to promote sustainable practices in the supply chain according to EDP Sustainable Procurement Policy.
2. Wind farm set up
Wind farm set up, including construction and installation works, is concentrated in a short period of time and has a very limited impact compared with upstream processes. However, it is followed by our qualified teams to minimize potential disturbances.
A thorough process based on our in-house expertise ensures the location of EDPR facilities in the best sites, assuring top-class construction standards and respect for the environment and local communities.
During the construction process, we work to minimize impacts and disturbances and return the land to its initial integrity.
In most cases, wind turbines and access roads occupy less than one percent of the land in the entire project area and the remaining land is still available for traditional activities.
3. Operation stage
The operation stage is the core of our business. As an owner and operator, EDPR is committed to maintaining long-term operations of our projects for the benefit of our stakeholders while always keeping our environmental impact to a minimum.
The proper management of the environmental aspects during operation is achieved through the Environmental Management System (EMS), developed in accordance with the ISO 14001 international standard and certified by an independent certifying organization.
The operating phase can be extended beyond the useful life by repowering the windfarms, replacing old equipment by new one with greater capacity and performance, producing clean energy for a few years more.
4. End of useful life
At the end of their useful life wind turbines are dismantled to return the environment to its original state.
Although EDPR has not yet dismantled any facility, from the environmental point of view there are two main aspects to consider: land restoration and proper treatment of the wastes generated.
Properly managing wind turbines at the end of its life from a sustainable point of view, is crucial to maximize the environmental positive impacts of wind energy from a life cycle approach.
Wind turbines’ recycling at the end of their service life avoids impacts associated to raw materials’ extraction, providing significant environmental benefits and contributing to create a circular economy.

Environmental policy

Proactive environmental management generates value and constitutes the duty of any socially responsible company. Our Environmental Policy reflects EDPR’s environmental strategy.

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HSE Management System

The health, safety and well-being of our employees, as well as the protection of the environment, are a priority for EDPR.

These commitments are firmly set in the Health and Safety Policy and Environmental Policy and have been backed by the certification of both management systems for over 10 years.

During 2019, following the reference provided by the international standards ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018, a project was launched to merge both systems with the aim of having a more global approach, being more efficient, simplifying processes and managing the risks of our activity. 

As a result of this work, the new Health, Safety and Environment Management System (HSEMS), where synergies play a fundamental role, will be implemented and certified jointly in 2020. 
 

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Environmental management

EDPR is committed to contributing to the protection of the environment through proactive environmental management of its facilities, as established in our environmental policy. 

The approach in our facilities in operation is to identify best practices and define standards to ensure a proper environmental  management  in  the  different  geographies,  aimed  at supporting  the  business, providing value and continuous improvement through the HSEMS in accordance with the international standard ISO 14001.

100
% *
ISO 14001 certified MWs (2019)

* Calculation based in 2019 installed capacity.

18
M€
Environmental investment in 2019
6
M€
Environmental expenses in 2019
Certificates

Suppliers

EDPR’s market leadership, based in value creation capacity, innovation and relationship with its stakeholders, is much influenced by the performance of its suppliers.

Technical excellence together with sustainability is the basis of EDPR relationship with suppliers. This results in close collaboration, joint capacity to innovate, strengthen the sustainability practices and improve the quality of the Company’s operations.

EDPR has defined policies and procedures to ensure the several aspects that fill in with the sustainability, as well as the management and mitigation of any type of environmental, social or ethical risks in the supply chain. 

The Suppliers Sustainability Guides provides an overview of the sustainability requirements EDPR expects its suppliers to meet.