As part of its 2030 sustainability plan, which is based on the pillars of preserving the planet, people, peace and partnerships, Hitachi Energy is focusing on meeting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), where each aspect has corresponding targets driving the company to contribute social, environmental and economic value.
In this sense, the company reported that it has taken a crucial step in achieving the challenges set, by using 100% of the electricity from operations free of fossil fuels.
To achieve this important change, the company has followed a series of strategies, including support to projects to generate its own energy, such as installing solar panels on the roof. In addition, these measures have been combined with digital solutions for distributed energy resources maximizing efficiency and minimizing carbon (CO2) emissions.
For example, at the Zhongshan factory in China, Hitachi generates almost 20% of total energy consumption from solar panels. During its first year of operation, the power generated at the complex is expected to reach 1,510 megawatt hours (MWh), contributing to the reduction of annual CO2 emissions by more than 1,000 tons.
Another key point was the switch to green tariffs, the purchase of energy attribute certificates (EAC), and the signing of power purchase agreements (PPA) across all operations and facilities in 90 countries.
Long-term Vision
Although Hitachi Energy has clear goals for 2030, as dictated by their sustainability plan, it is committed to going further with investments and policies aimed at combating pollution within its operations.
Claudio Facchin, CEO of Hitachi Energy stressed that the “Net Zero” challenge is global and is about acting now, innovating and collaborating across countries, industries and societies. “Together with customers, partners and all stakeholders, we are advancing the global energy system to be more sustainable, flexible and secure,” he said.
“By achieving 100 percent fossil fuel-free electricity in our own operations, we have reduced our CO2 equivalent emissions by more than 50 percent compared to 2019,” he added.
In Ludvika, Sweden, the company has one of the largest production facilities, now using 100% renewable electricity generated from hydropower and solar panels to support its operations.
