14/07/2021

Neoenergia invests in ESG strategy with several actions implemented in Teles Pires Power Plant

    sustainability


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strategy-esg

Action plan was implemented in Teles Pires power plant (MT/PA), in a pioneering way among the enterprises in the Amazon region, and two other assets are in study process 



Neoenergia has in its strategic plan the commitment to act with a focus on sustainable development, promoting responsible practices in the environmental, social and governance (ESG) areas. In line with this, at the Teles Pires hydroelectricpower plant (MT/PA), controlled by the company, an action plan specifically focused on the business was implemented, with priorities such as the protection of water resources and the relationship with communities and traditional people. The analysis happened in a pioneering way among the hydraulic generation undertakings in the Amazon and, by the end of 2021, it will be implemented in three more assets managed by the company:Baixo Iguaçu (PR), Corumbá (GO) and Dardanelles (MT).  

"The Teles Pires plant is located in a very important region for the country and, since the beginning of this project, we reaffirm the commitment to the environment and society. For example, we invest in biodiversity recovery actions such as the protection of 20,000 hectares of Amazon Forest. Now, with the ESG criteria formalized, we can give even more transparency to the actions and demonstrate to our stakeholders the responsibility for sustainable development",says José Paulo Werberich, Superintendent of Operations and Hydraulic Engineering at Neoenergia.  

The action plan implemented in the hydroelectric power plant counts on short, medium and long term initiatives, some of them already adopted by the company.  All are based on five pillars: responsible action, healthy labor relations, respect for the environment, responsibility for communities and traditional peoples, and transparency.

ESG strategy process

The process of developing the ESG strategy began in late 2020, in partnership with the specialized consulting firm Sitawi. The first step was to prepare a survey of best practices in the area and a sectoral diagnosis. The study was based on methodologies of international organizations specialized in sustainability guidelines, such as Vigeo Eiris, SASB (Sustainability Accounting Standards Board) and the Hydropower Sustainability Guideliness.

In this process 21 themes relevant to the hydroelectric power plant were identified.  Five of them are considered priorities for the plant's area of operation: promotion of social and economic development, relationship with traditional people and preservation of cultural heritage, relationship with the surrounding community, protection of water resources, and mitigation and adaptation to climate change.

Social and environmental programs

Guided by these parameters, the Teles Pires plant and two other hydroelectric power plants located in the Amazon were evaluated in relation to the performance of risk and opportunity management. “Teles Pires power plant performed better than the others in the analysis due to its performance guided by the environmental licensing process, which resulted in several social and environmental programs," explains José Paulo.

Even before the implementation of the ESG strategy, 44 social and environmental programs had already been started at the plant, 18 of them aimed at indigenous populations.  Among the highlights is the discovery of new species of fauna and flora, contributing to the conservation of biodiversity in the biome.  The hydroelectric power plant is considered one of the most efficient in Brazil and has an installed capacity of 1,820 MW, enough energy to supply approximately 13.5 million inhabitants.

Strategic Goal and ESG

Neoenergia's 2018 to 2022 strategic plan integrates the company's commitment to sustainable development through its purpose, values and management policies.  "The company's long-term vision is to contribute to a better future for the planet without compromising present results. Therefore, we have adopted a strategy and a business model guided by the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050, for the generation of economic, social and environmental development opportunities.  Strategically, the group defines SDG 7 and 13 as priorities in order to keep on supplying clean, intelligent, and quality energy to the Brazilian society", says Francisco Carvalho, Innovation and Sustainability superintendent.

The company bases its sustainable growth on the strategic expansion of clean energy generation projects, which represent almost 90% of the company's portfolio.  In wind power​, the installed capacity will triple by 2023, reaching 1.6 GW. In 2020, Neoenergia announced its entry into large-scale solar generation, with the construction of two plants.

Since January 2021, the company is part of B3's Corporate Sustainability Index portfolio, which brings together companies with the best corporate governance and sustainability practices. In addition, for the first time it is now part of the 11th portfolio of the Carbon Efficient Index (ICO2) of the Stock Exchange and is part of the qualified group of companies recognized with the Pro-Ethics seal.  The company has renewed the commitment made in 2007 with the ten principles of the Global Compact, an initiative that advocates a performance based on respect for human rights, labor rights, environmental preservation and combating corruption, and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), both of the UN.

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