- On the occasion of the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, ACCIONA Energía presents the energy efficiency improvement projects carried out around the Krobia I wind farm (Poland), two of the most noteworthy social investment initiatives
Every September 16th, for the past 27 years, it commemorates the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, that extremely fragile strip of gas, which protects life on the planet from the sun's ultraviolet radiation. It was in 1994 that the UN General Assembly proclaimed the celebration of the world ozone anniversary on that date, with the aim of raising public awareness of the need to protect this part of the atmosphere, preventing its depletion from continuing to alter the earth's weather conditions.
Highlighting that day, and with the focus on the use of renewable energies as an energy source to mitigate climate change, here are two social initiatives that ACCIONA Energía is carrying out at the Krobia I wind farm in Poland. These are part of Sustainable Development Goal 7 of the United Nations 2030 Agenda: to ensure access to affordable, safe, sustainable and modern energy. They also are part of the Social Impact Management (SIM) carried out by the company.
In accordance with the environmental protection and energy self-sufficiency measures being developed by the municipality of Krobia, the installation of photovoltaic panels has been carried out in the Municipal Nursery of the township, in such a way that, in addition to having a positive impact on nature, the efficiency of the electricity system is boosted and, consequently, the cost of the electricity bill in this kindergarten is expected to be reduced.
In the same line of action, betting on the achievement of an energy improvement, is the second of the actions implemented. Understanding that the Municipal Center for Culture and Recreation of Krobia is a place of social gathering and that for this circumstance it has to be equipped with modern infrastructures, it has proceeded to the replacement of the electrical installation, which dated from the 80s, by a low consumption LED lighting system, parallel to a photovoltaic installation that will contribute to increase energy efficiency. Every year, hundreds of people of all ages pass through this centre thanks to the artistic and cultural offerings proposed in its programme. With this substantial improvement in its facilities, those attending events will be able to benefit from a considerable increase in the lighting quality of the building.
The implementation of these two projects, integrated into the global social investment plan that ACCIONA Energía carries out annually, will help around 800 local people in the municipality to improve their quality of life within the community, while reducing the negative environmental impact on the area. With this type of action and with the commitment to the use of renewable energies as the main energy source, the company continues on its path of being socially responsible, contributing to create a more sustainable world, in connection with international standards.
These two socio-environmental initiatives take on significant importance in the wake of the discouraging data from the latest report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) on August 9th, which stressed the need to accelerate the energy transition in order to face the climate emergency. In this context, the words of the executive secretary of the United Nations on Climate Change, Patricia Espinosa, are particularly relevant. She deeply believes that "energy is at the heart of the climate change emergency and must be at the heart of its solution", so that "a rapid and comprehensive transition to renewable energy will be essential to achieve the emission reduction targets set out in the Paris Agreement". She deeply believes that "energy is at the heart of the climate change emergency and must be at the heart of its solution", therefore "a rapid and comprehensive transition to renewable energy will be essential to achieve the emission reduction targets set out in the Paris Agreement". A philosophy aligned with the climate change policy set out in ACCIONA's Sustainability Master Plan.