The Petrol Group Takes the Lead Towards a Green Future – And the Outlook Is Bright
Carol Jardine
CONTRIBUTOR
Petrol Group is fast becoming Slovenia’s ESG flagship in its progressive transition to green energy and creating a low carbon environment.
It has visibly demonstrated a steady commitment to the three pillars of its ESG strategy - it has already proven its stance with RES ( renewable energy sources), and has an enviable track record on the social front, by providing regular training for employees, as well as holding an exemplary record in Health and Safety and Gender Equality, while on the regulatory side it is adhering to its strategy of moving towards a low –carbon and energy-efficient society and circular economy.
Most recently, on the 10th of May, 2022, the Petrol Group officially opened its second wind farm in Ljubaĉ near Knin, Croatia. The wind farm comprises nine Nordex wind turbines and will generate 96 GWh per annum of green electricity, sufficient for 30,000 households. The project is fully funded by the Petrol Group, which has committed that 35% of its 698 million Euro investment capacity will be directed towards investments in renewable energy transition and green electricity generation in the years 2021 -2025.
In addition to the Ljubaĉ project, the Petrol Group, already operates a smaller wind farm, the Glunaĉa Windfarm near Šibenik, Croatia, also with nine wind turbines and generating sufficient electricity for 15,000 households. Other commitments to renewable energy include the implementation of 30 small solar plants and 6 small hydropower plants. Most of Petrol’s renewable energy projects are based in Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, all of which have the natural sun, wind and water resources ( RES) required to provide local communities with a more economical and environmentally friendly ‘natural energy’ supply.
The Petrol Group has also played a leading role in energy efficiency projects in collaboration with local communities on projects involving increasing the energy efficiency of street lighting, district heating and water filtration.
As one of the leading electric charging station providers in Slovenia, Serbia, Croatia and Montenegro, the Petrol Group currently has ownership and responsibility for 300 charging stations and is on track to reach its target of 1,575 charging stations for electric and hybrid cars by 2025.
At the official opening of the Ljubaĉ wind farm, Nada Drobne Popoviĉ, President of the Management Board of Petrol d.d., thanked the Croatian business community and stakeholders for their continued support of Petrol’s crusade towards the transition to renewable energy sources and for helping Petrol to make a tangible move towards a carbon –zero environment. She also welcomed Petrol’s forthcoming investment in three more solar power plants in the Knin area, which should be providing green electricity by early next year, and reiterated her desire for the Petrol Group’s goal of becoming a modern sustainable energy company as well as an active partner to those who wish to proceed towards a green and carbon-zero future.
With the current energy crisis caused by the Russia- Ukraine war, it looks like the transitıon to renewable energy may proceed faster than anticipated, with the capacity to provide a local and viable solution to the fuel shortage – and it looks like the Slovenian Petrol Group is in the forefront.
