2020, Part Two. Moving Forward and Innovating
By Francesco CALABRETTA – Country Manager Audax Energia
Among the many useful examples to give an idea of the size of the impact generated by the Coronavirus pandemic, there is also that of energy demand, decreased – compared to the same period in 2019 – of the 6-7% at a global level, according to the first data from the Global Energy Review 2020. In a certain sense, it is as if about 1.3 billion individuals have stopped performing any action that requires the use of energy. A decline also recorded by CO2 emissions which – in a world stopped or slowed down – have fallen by 8%, much more than what happened in 2009, with the global industry at a standstill due to the economic and financial crisis.
Unthinkable and not yet definitive numbers and percentages, given that in several countries around the world the confinement measures are either still in force or have only been eased for a short time.
In Italy, a nation that has experienced a prolonged period of lockdown, the comparison with the previous year's data is impressive. The electricity demand, between March and May, recorded a minus 16-18% (Terna) while that of natural gas for thermoelectric production and for industrial activities reached -30% (March-April).
Although consumption figures for fuels such as diesel and gasoline, -43%, appear exceptionally low, these are better when compared with the collapse involving aviation fuels, -66% (ENEA).
In this global context of shock “only renewable energies are holding up during the unprecedented collapse of electricity” recalls Fatih Birol, director of the International Energy Agency.
In these first three months of 2020, the share of FER in global electricity production has reached 28%, +2% compared to 2019. From now until the end of the year, despite the presence of numerous authorization and implementation obstacles (think of photovoltaics...), renewables will record a +5% in electricity production. This means that this year RES will represent approximately 30% of the electricity supplied globally.
The data relating to the “closure” period in Italy (source Terna) report an important performance of renewables compared to the same period last year, with a +2,8%, approximately 485GWh. Well the photovoltaic, which in the months of March-April grew by 13.9%, +623 GWh, while wind power suffered, perhaps due to the lack of maintenance on the plants.
Looking then in terms of national electricity production, the contribution of renewable energy was significant: 47.8% against 40.7% in 2019.
In such a complex moment, these positive data are also a source of satisfaction and encouragement for us at Audax Energy and for at least three reasons. The first one involves belonging to a business group such as Audax Renewables which makes the marketing and production of 100% green energy the center of its activity. A second one concerns the excellent hold of the Group at an economic-financial level during this emergency phase. A third one, instead, has to do with us and with the correctness of our choices on photovoltaics and on the use of financial instruments such as PPAs. Although difficult in the implementation phase due to the obstacles still present on the Italian market, we are convinced that they will prove to be rewarding.
But not only thatThe difficult period we are experiencing has highlighted the need for a strong change in corporate organizations and in services that these can provide to customers. Especially in the direction of simplifying the relationships between those who provide the service and those who use it, to be achieved through a more articulated offer of technological tools and applications.
Simplicity, speed, availability and convenience. Or if you prefer, the freedom that the customer has to be able to manage, as and when they want, their energy consumption: these are the guidelines on which we at Audax Energia have moved to respond to continuously evolving needs.
THE'implementation of web and digital services It follows exactly this logic: Mobile App, Customer Area with increased functionality, chat with operators and instant messaging are pieces of a customer care which must, on the one hand, have increasingly higher standards of efficiency and on the other be perceived as “light”, not very invasive.
There has been a lot of talk about smart working and teleworking in recent months. Without a doubt, corporate organizations are based on people and their qualities. In recent days, Audax Energia has been enriched by an additional professional: Federico Scuto, in fact, joined our team to take on the role of Sales Manager.
His long experience in the energy field, where he worked for companies such as Europe Energy, Sorgenia and Carica Positiva, will help bring further value.
Because in the coming months – and it has never been so true – we will face important challenges to overcome.
