Environment (E)
At the GEN-I Group, as one of the leading representatives of the energy industry and a promoter of green transformation, we are aware that environmental responsibility requires a new way of thinking and acting. In promoting the green transformation, we lead by example - we reduce our own carbon footprint, supply our customers with carbon-free electricity and encourage investments in renewable energy sources.
Supplying carbon-free electricity
Since the beginning of 2021, we supply exclusively CO2-free electricity to all our customers in Slovenia. Together with solar, hydro and nuclear energy, we can ensure a carbon-free future for Slovenia. We are a leader in the field of sustainable energy solutions for customers in Slovenia and the region.
Accelerating investments in renewable energy sources
Through innovative projects and deployment of sustainable technologies, we make a significant contribution to the mitigation of climate change, the expansion of energy from renewable sources, and decarbonisation. Our first such major investment was the construction of a utility-scale solar power plant with a total capacity of 17 MW in North Macedonia, which began operating in 2022. In addition to solar power plants, we actively invest in other technologies supporting the green transition, such as electricity storage.
Through an accelerating pace of rooftop solar installations on buildings, both domestic and commercial, we contribute to the decarbonisation of Slovenia. An essential part of our mosaic underpinning the green transformation is the company GEN-I Sonce, through which we steadily increase the number of solar power plants in Slovenia. Through innovative financing, we successfully prove that solar power plants are accessible to everyone. For residents without the capability for solar power on their own rooftops, we provide affordable access to solar energy through community solar power solutions.
We also support sustainable development in the field of trading, mainly through PPA contracts that ensure reliable purchase of electricity from renewable sources over extended delivery periods, accelerating the integration of renewable energy sources into the electricity market.
Reducing our carbon footprint
Since 2018, we have been measuring our carbon footprint and developing solutions that would enable us to steadily decrease and ultimately eliminate it. Based on ongoing assessments and findings, we employ measures where reduction opportunities are greatest. The majority of our corporate fleet is already electrified, and we also use micro e-vehicles, charged with electricity produced on our e-bike shed rooftops. Our office buildings are equipped with charging stations for electric vehicles, connected to the network as well as to each other with an advanced solution for efficient charging. Our e-vehicle system is fully digitalised, making sustainable mobility even more interesting and attractive for users.
Caring for the environment and energy efficiency
Aware of the impact of our business activities and our own operations on the environment, we exclusively use carbon-free electricity produced from renewable energy sources in our business premises in Slovenia, verified through guarantees of origin. We consistently follow guidelines for reducing energy consumption in the heating and cooling of our business premises, and monitor the use of energy and water as well as the amount of waste generated during office work.
Employees are made aware of the efficient use of energy and water and of the measures that can be taken to reduce the amount of waste generated. Through the dedicated group "More with Less", employees co-develop sustainable action within the company, building on the activities of GEN-I's successful public campaign for raising awareness among the general public about energy efficiency and encouraging the reduction of energy consumption.
Environmental factors are also taken into account when implementing projects and investments in the field of renewable energy sources, where the possibilities of materials recycling and reuse of materials in the production of new components is taken into account when developing and operating our solar power plants.
