Energy consumption

[GRI - 102-29], [GRI - 103-3], [GRI - 201-2], [GRI - 302-1], [GRI - 302-2], [GRI - 302-3], [GRI - 305-1], [GRI - 308-1], [GRI - 308-2],

ENERGY CONSUMPTION

Total energy consumption amounts to approximately 12,281 TJ, decreasing compared to 2022 (-5%). Net of energy sold, consumption stood at 8,896 TJ (see Table 65).
The decrease in consumption refers to various factors occurring during the production processes, for example, higher rainfall, which resulted in lower energy expenditure for lifting systems used by the Company in the water segment, which at the same time, increased the availability of gravity collected water; consumption at the waste-to-energy plants were more contained due largely to the Terni plant being stopped in November for revamping work. The many interventions to increase energy efficiency also contributed to reducing consumption.

Electricity consumption of the main Companies, connected to the distribution of drinking and non-drinking water, treatment processes and internal consumption at work sites, originates partly from renewable sources with a Guarantee of Origin, for a total of approximately 316 Gwh231, which, despite the decrease on the previous year232, was equal to 46% of specific consumption (690.8 GWh) in 2023 (Table 65).

Table no. 65 – Energy consumption by source (2021-2023) (*)

energy per source 2021 2022 2023
TJ (GWh)
SRF and pulper waste (waste-to-energy) – non-renewable share

2,770.1 (769.5)

3,012.7

(836.9)

2,972.0

(825.6)

biogas (100% renewable – waste management and water segment)

424.1 (117.8)

608.7

(169.1)

687.7

(191.0)

photovoltaic

3.4

(0.9)

9.4

(2.6)

9.6

(2.7)

GO electricity

1,498.5

(416.3)

1,256.4

(349.0)

1,138.1

(316.1)

total fuel and electricity consumption from renewable sources

4,696.1

(1,304.5)

4,887.3

(1,357.6)

4,807.4

(1,335.3)

SRF and pulper waste (waste-to-energy) – non-renewable share

3,659.0

(1,016.4)

3,883.4

(1,078.7)

3,362.5

(934.0)

methane (for electricity generation, district heating, processes, water area dryers and heating for offices)

1,331.6

(369.9)

1,278.8

(355.2)

1,266.0

(351.7)

diesel (for electricity generation, other uses, composting plants and road haulage)

176.0

(48.9)

184.0

(51.1)

161.6

(44.9)

LPG (heating, road haulage and processing)

2.1

(0.6)

2.2

(0.6)

0.7

(0.2)

petrol (road haulage)

18.0

(5.0)

28.5

(7.9)

33.6

(9.3)

LSC oil for process (disposal of Acque Industriali wastewater)

1.3

(0.4)

0.0

(0.0)

0,0

(0,0)

electrical energy losses on the distribution networks and transport

1,112.0

(308.9)

1,015.5

(282.1)

963.3

(267.6)

own use of electricity for the implementation of distribution and transmission activities

110.5

(30.7)

104.2

(28.9)

100.4

(27.9)

consumption for public lighting

242.4

(67.3)

242.7

(67.4)

236.8

(65.8)
Non-GO electricity for internal use (water systems, environmental processes, laboratories and offices)

1,124.2

(312.3)

1,359.1

(377.5)

1,348.8

(374.7)

total fuel and electricity consumption from non-renewable sources

7,777.1

(2,160.4)

8,098.3

(2,249.5)

7,473.8

(2,076.0)

total fuel and electricity consumption

12,473.1

(3,464.8)

12,985.6

(3,607.1)

12,281.1

(3,411.4)

total energy sold

3,758.8

(1,044.1)

3,107.8

(863.3)

3,385.2

(940.3)

energy consumed

8,714.3

(2,420.7)

9,877.8

(2,743.8)

8,896.0

(2,471.1)

(*) Certain 2021 figures were adjusted for energy data consolidation; Ecologica Sangro was included in the 2022 figures, for the purposes of comparability with the last two-year period, and other figures were adjusted for the consolidation.
Note: data on energy produced by the companies’ plants, energy fed into the network and energy sold are illustrated in the Environmental Report (Products – Energy business).

Table no. 66 shows the energy consumption intensity indices. Public lighting decreased slightly, due to improved lamp efficiency; regarding the two water service indicators, the first came down due to the decrease in volumes issued, which depend on the efficienfficy of the IIS, including the decrease in leaks, as well as the lower consumption of electricity, which mainly depends on the higher contribution from gravity sourced water; the second came down due to increased operational eciency: electricity consumption in- creased for sewerage and treatment plants, but not as much as the increase in treated wastewater.

 

Table no. 66 – Energy intensity indices (2021-2023)

Energy consumption intensity index u.m. 2021 2022 2023

electricity consumed for public lighting per lamp

TJ/lamp

0.00106

0.00105

0.00102

total electricity consumed by Acea Ato 2, Acea Ato 5, Gori, AdF and Gesesa/ water issued into aqueduct systems

TJ/Mm3

2.471

2.557

2.475

electrical energy consumed by Acea Ato 2, Acea Ato 5, Gori, AdF and Gesesa for sewer service and treatment/water treated

 TJ/Mm3

1.263

1.282

1.268

 

Energy consumption along the supply chain

Acea works to increase awareness and constantly monitor its supply chain in relation to environmental and specifically energy issues. Since 2015, it has been monitoring energy consumption, requiring a representative panel of suppliers to fill out a specific questionnaire. In December 2023 the questionnaire was sent to 100 suppliers, the principal parties in terms of value of orders for the year. Thanks to the results from 51 suppliers(equal to 31% of the total Acea expenditure for the procurement of goods/services and works), the total energy consumption for all suppliers was estimated at approximately 418,428 GJ233. The questionnaire has included a specific section on water consumption (see the section Attention to water consumption, further on in the document).

231 Acea Energia estimated data.
232 The additional rise in the cost of electricity certifications from renewable sources was deemed no longer sustainable by certain Group companies.
233 The figure is obtained by readjusting the consumption of respondents relative to the total purchased during the year.