Comunicati: Press release

Baku (Azerbaijan), November 15^th, 2024 – For the fourth year in a row, Italgas has received the prestigious Gold Standard recognition in the An Eye on Methane 2024 report from the International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO), published by the United Nations Environment Programme with support from the European Commission.

The report, presented today at COP29 in Baku, provides an in-depth analysis of methane emissions data supplied by companies participating in OGMP 2.0, evaluating progress in emission reduction efforts.

This recognition highlights Italgas’s consistent commitment to monitoring and reducing methane emissions, demonstrating advanced expertise in emissions measurement achieved through innovative technologies and the digital transformation of assets. The report also emphasizes Italgas’s role in presenting one of the most ambitious implementation plans within the gas distribution sector.

Italgas stands out as the only downstream company featured in the “Stories of Progress in OGMP 2.0” thanks to its extensive emissions measurement campaign, which has enabled the identification of major emission sources and improvement in data accuracy. Furthermore, the company collaborates with a team of researchers to conduct controlled gas release tests at a testing field, aimed at identifying previously undetected emission sources.

The company has also distinguished itself by adopting advanced technological solutions, such as the CRDS (Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy) technology developed by California-based Picarro, which ensures greater speed, sensitivity, and range compared to traditional methods.

Finally, the report acknowledges Italgas’s leadership role within the sector, driven by a proactive approach to emission reduction, not only within the company itself but also by encouraging best practices and offering mentorship to other industry operators.

The An Eye on Methane 2024 report is based on data collected during the fourth year of the OGMP 2.0 program, the framework introduced by UNEP in 2020 for methane emissions reporting and monitoring.

Baku (Azerbaijan), November 12, 2024 – Italgas and SOCAR (State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic) signed a Cooperation Agreement today at COP29, renewing and strengthening the collaboration between the two industrial groups.

The agreement, signed by Paolo Gallo, CEO of Italgas, and Elshad Nassirov, SOCAR Vice President responsible for gas, consolidates a strategic partnership aimed at promoting innovation, efficiency, and sustainability in the gas distribution sector.

Key areas of collaboration include the exchange of best practices and technologies to accelerate the energy transition and digitalization, with a particular emphasis on decarbonizing infrastructure through gas leak detection using Picarro technology, as well as process digitalization through the agile methodology, which has been in place at Italgas’s digital factory—the group’s hub for digital transformation—since 2018.

The agreement stems from the existing partnership between Bludigit, Italgas’s Digital Company, and Azerigas Production Union, the entity responsible for natural gas distribution and sales in the Republic of Azerbaijan, aimed at identifying leaks in Azerbaijan’s gas network and reducing emissions within the distribution sector. To this end, Picarro’s CRDS (Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy) technology is already being used in a pilot phase, alongside data analysis, to enhance effectiveness and timeliness in detecting leaks, including minor ones, and to guide preventive maintenance actions for the network.

“We strongly believe in the value of cooperation and global dialogue as key accelerators on the path to net zero – stated Paolo Gallo, CEO of Italgas -. We are excited to embark on this partnership with SOCAR, a company that, like us, views technological innovation and sustainability as fundamental pillars of growth. In this context, the agreement holds strategic significance, as it will enable us to expand resources dedicated to breakthrough solution development and explore new technologies, further strengthening our globally recognized leadership in the gas distribution sector”.

“We are pleased to deepen our collaboration with Italgas, a company that shares SOCAR’s commitment to innovation and sustainability – stated SOCAR -. This agreement represents an important milestone in our journey towards a net-zero future, allowing us to integrate advanced technologies like Picarro’s CRDS into our gas distribution infrastructure. By enhancing our capabilities in leak detection and digitalization, we are not only improving efficiency but also contributing significantly to emissions reduction across the network“.

The awareness of the importance of reducing emissions across the entire gas infrastructure chain, essential for advancing towards a net-zero economy, will be the central theme of the event organized by Italgas on November 15 at the Italian Pavilion at COP29. This debate, titled “Methane Emissions in the Global Path to Net Zero: Infrastructure as a Catalyst for Sustainable Gas Trade,” will involve institutional figures, representatives from think tanks, NGOs, and industry operators. The discussion will focus on the urgency of containing methane emissions to combat climate change, exploring industrial, financial, and policy strategies applicable to each component of the infrastructure chain, with a particular focus on developing countries.

Among the speakers, Pier Lorenzo Dell’Orco, CEO of Italgas Reti, will outline the transformation journey of the Italgas Group into a network tech company and its leadership in monitoring and reducing methane emissions. Professor Francesco Corvaro, Special Envoy for Climate Change of the Italian government, will present Italy’s commitment as a strategic player and the contribution of “international champion” companies in sharing best practices.

Rome, October 16^th, 2024 – Italgas strengthens its commitment to protecting employees on business trips abroad thanks to a Memorandum of Understanding signed today at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation between Italgas CEO, Paolo Gallo, and the Head of the Crisis Unit, Nicola Minasi, under the initiative of Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.

The agreement marks the beginning of a collaboration aimed at further raising international safety standards by mitigating potential risks associated with business trips.

The Memorandum of Understanding is intended to reinforce Italgas’ commitment to the safety of its employees traveling or working abroad, in line with the principles of “Duty of Care” and international standards for travel risk management.

The collaboration with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, supported by the availability of dedicated digital applications, offers multiple benefits to the Group’s employees. In addition to the information already available through the “Viaggiare Sicuri” app and the “DoveSiamoNelMondo” portal, the Group’s employees can access IG DOME at any time. This innovative application, developed by Italgas, provides real-time data on traffic, weather, public transport, natural events, and security issues related to the countries they are visiting. In case of need, employees can use IG DOME to request support from the company’s Security Unit to be located, ensuring maximum coordination with the Crisis Unit.

The Protocol includes joint training programs and informational activities to continue promoting a culture of safety during business trips, protecting Italgas Group employees, and optimizing the security measures implemented by the Company.​

“The safety of our nationals abroad is a priority for the Government and my Ministry—as demonstrated by this agreement—and it requires collaboration between the Farnesina, our diplomatic network, and companies like Italgas,” stated the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Antonio Tajani, highlighting the importance of teamwork among all parties involved, both public and private, especially in high-risk contexts.​

“The safeguarding of the health and safety of our Group members — stated Paolo Gallo, CEO of Italgas — has always been the primary objective of our daily actions. Thanks to continuously evolving technological innovation, we are able to improve and make our services dedicated to employees increasingly efficient. This closer collaboration with the Crisis Unit of the Farnesina allows us to be even more effective in preventing the risks our colleagues may face while traveling for work.”​

Turin, April 23^rd, 2024 – On Saturday, April 27^th, and Sunday, April 28^th, Italgas will host two events preceding the G7 Climate, Environment, and Energy meetings, which will be attended by representatives of foreign ministerial delegations.

The historic headquarters at Largo Regio Parco 9 in Turin will serve as the backdrop for the “Planet Week,” an event organized by the Italian Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security and “Connect4Climate.”

During the G7 meetings, Italgas will support initiatives to draw attention to themes such as climate action, circular economy, renewable energies, and water, with the aim of promoting a debate on global challenges and solutions for achieving carbon neutrality.

More specifically, the G7 meetings will be preceded by the seminar “Transitioning to net-zero: technology roadmaps,” organized on April 27^th starting at 2:30 PM, in collaboration with WEC Italy – the Italian National Committee of the World Energy Council and OMEC – Organisation Méditerranéenne de l’Energie et du Climat, and in partnership with Globe Italy, Politecnico di Torino, and the Global Energy Center of the Atlantic Council. Through academic, institutional, and energy sector contributions, the event will explore the strategic role of technological innovation for an effective transition towards carbon neutrality.

On Sunday, April 28^th, at 9:30 AM, still at Italgas’ historic headquarters in Turin, the Minister of the Environment and Energy Security, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, and Italgas CEO, Paolo Gallo, will welcome ministerial delegations and diplomatic representatives for a discussion titled “Bridging tradition and sustainable energy.”

“We are pleased to take part in the Planet Week and to show the guests of the G7 Climate, Energy, and Environment how Italgas is tackling the challenge of net zero with an unprecedented commitment to research and development of technologies for widespread use of renewable gases that will progressively replace those of fossil origin” commented Italgas CEO Paolo Gallo. “An opportunity to contribute to the global debate on the choices to be made regarding infrastructure for effective, rapid, and sustainable decarbonization, and as such, aimed at technological neutrality.”

“Safety and competitiveness of energy supplies have once again become essential concerns for G7 partners,” commented Marco Margheri, President of WEC Italy. “After COP28, the path towards energy transition must also be rethought to be more effective and faster, with the contribution of all sectors and all technologies. Italy is at the center of these transformations thanks to strong partnerships in the Mediterranean and Africa and has developed distinctive policies and skills: collaboration with Italgas will allow discussing the contribution of skills and innovation to the decarbonization of strategic sectors, such as natural gas distribution and new gases.”

Athens, February 14^th, 2024 – Italgas has officially introduced the new identity of Greek companies, which are now named “Enaon”, the holding company, and “Enaon Eda”, the operating company.

The announcement was made by Italgas CEO Paolo Gallo during the inauguration of the new Athenian headquarters of the companies, in the presence of Italgas Chairperson, Benedetta Navarra, the Minister of Environment and Energy, Mr. Theodoros Skylakakis, the Minister of Economy and Finance, the Minister of Development, Kostas Skrekas, the Italian Ambassador to Greece, Paolo Cuculi. Sia Kossioni, journalist, moderated the event.

The establishment of Enaon and Enaon EDA, which will be responsible for the development and management of services, represents a further step forward in the reorganization process undertaken by Italgas, marked by the merger of the previous three DSOs into one, which occurred in 2023.

“Just over a year ago,” stated Paolo Gallo “we successfully concluded the acquisition of Depa Infrastructure. Today, with the presentation of Enaon, we inaugurate a new chapter in our journey. The launch of the new corporate image comes at a time when we have already successfully achieved significant goals that will enable us to work better and more efficiently. I refer to the migration of the IT system to the Cloud, the unification of the three companies into a single operator, the selection of a new headquarters where people, previously spread across multiple locations, have more space and greater comfort. Italgas confirms itself as the ideal technological and industrial partner to support Greece in the phase-out from coal and lignite towards EU decarbonization goals. Our experience in the digital transformation of networks, an enabling factor for the decarbonization of consumption, has already been made available to our colleagues and will also allow Greek distribution networks to soon accommodate biomethane, green hydrogen, and other renewable gases”.

“Today’s presentation of ENAON and the reorganizational process carried out by the company in recent months are concrete signs of Italgas’ commitment to the Greek market and further contribute to the strengthening of the partnership between our two countries. Italy and Greece indeed boast strong bilateral relations, which continue to grow thanks to the contribution of companies like Italgas that have decided to invest in this market” – stated the Italian Ambassador to Greece, Paolo Cuculi, who emphasized the role of the Italian company in a crucial sector for the development of bilateral relations.

 “The initiatives being taken with a focus on Greece through the Italgas Group -several of which were presented in detail today- are helping us to gain access to technical knowledge that will enable Greek distribution networks to be upgraded in a way that could soon accommodate biomethane and other renewable gases” stated the Minister of Environment and Energy, Mr Theodoros Skylakakis.

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN ENAON AND HABIO

On the occasion of the unveiling of the new brand, Enaon has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with HABIO, the Hellenic Biogas Association, which today represents the operators of 48 production plants who have already shown great interest in converting their production into biomethane to be injected into distribution networks.

The agreement, signed by Barbara Morgante, CEO of Enaon, and Alexandros Yfantis, President of HABIO, will last for 2 years and will focus on various topics: from the development of regulatory proposals to the definition of connection parameters to the networks, from the determination of costs for the expansion and connection of plants to the promotion of sustainable biomass collection and the use of digestate as fertilizer.

The collaboration between Enaon and HABIO is strategic to accelerate the development of biomethane, in line with the objectives of the EU and the Greek government. As a renewable gas, biomethane represents an energy source that reduces dependence on foreign supplies and improves energy security. It also contributes to the circular economy and sustainable development of rural areas, generating positive impacts on local communities.

THE MEANING OF ENAON

Enaon takes inspiration from the Greek word “Αέναος” (Aenaos), which translates to “perennial” and “renewable” and, when associated with the energy sector, aims to represent a long-lasting offer capable of meeting current needs and the well-being of future generations. By simplifying its spelling to Enaon, the new brand becomes distinctive, versatile, and with a universal meaning.

Moreover, “Ena” is the Greek word for “one” and recalls the union of the 3 previous DSOs – Eda Thess, Deda, and Eda Attikis – into a single Company; “On” represents the idea of something being active, operational. Enaon, therefore, embodies the commitment to keep energy in constant flow, providing gas continuously and working to equip the country with cutting-edge, smart, and flexible infrastructure.

THE NEW HEADQUARTERS

The Enaon offices in Athens are located at the Politia Business Center:

The new Greek headquarters of the Group offers the opportunity to concentrate in one place many of the people who were previously scattered in various offices and locations across the city, thus enhancing interaction between people, exchanging professionalism and skills, and ensuring greater comfort for workers.

In the new offices, spread over 7 floors, people have access to modern, functional, and flexible spaces for a more effective balance between individual activities and group work. Overall, the architectural project aims to ensure bright, quiet environments away from sources of distraction, as well as areas equipped with tools for remote collaboration.

One of the distinctive features of the new headquarters is the complete overhaul of the ICT infrastructure, aimed at further enhancing cybersecurity. This revision, implemented with significant improvements, has aligned the Greek headquarters with the Group’s rigorous standards and best practices, effectively reducing risks associated with information and communication technologies.