Endesa

Endesa is the dominant electricity utility in Spain, has interests in other European countries such as Italy and describes itself as "the number one private electricity company in Latin America". On its website the company states that through its subsidiaries it has 49,174 megawatts (MW) with just over half of its electricity sales coming from outside Spain.

Endesa and Corporate Social Responsibility

In June 2009, SOMO (the Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations) published a research report that investigated, among other things, Endesa’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policies and practices. The report concluded that “company’s approach is characterised by a thoroughly developed CSR policy and is largely based on existing international standards and norms”.

Endesa in Argentina and Peru

The case of Villa Inflamable, the community adjacent to Endesa’s Central Dock Sud in Argentina shows that many of the communities situated near or adjacent to electricity infrastructure (i.e. power plants, transmission lines, etc.) in Argentina and Peru live in precarious situations and benefit little from their proximity to electricity operations. While it cannot be said that Endesa’s operations are solely responsible for the poverty, pollution, and precarious living conditions of the community, Endesa’s CSR policies and practices do not appear to be contributing to poverty reduction and meeting basic needs such as having a safe and healthy living environment.

In fact, community members in Villa Inflamable expressed their belief that their situation is worsened by the presence of Endesa’s power plant and the company’s construction of high-tension power lines through their neighbourhood. The community claims that by going forward with construction of the high-tension cables despite scientific uncertainty about the health impacts of exposure to electromagnetic fields, Endesa has ignored the precautionary principle, even though the company has committed (through its endorsement of the UN Global Compact) to abide by this internationally recognized standard.

The Endesa plants in rural Peru do not supply the small communities scattered around the facilities, a fact that has caused consternation and dismay among local authorities. This appears to be out of line with the company’s policy to “[develop] infrastructure … paying attention to more vulnerable communities”.

Interests in Proposed Coal-Fired Power Stations

• Le Havre Power Station, Normandy: In April 2008 Power in Europe, an energy trade newsletter, reported that in November 2007 Endesa France mentioned "plans for a ‘zero-emission’ 700-MW plant based on clean coal technology at the Channel port of Le Havre. Its other developments on established coal sites are gas-fired CC projects." (See also France and coal)

• Agios Nikolaos Power Station in Beotia is proposed by Mytilineos and Endesa, which have formed a joint venture company named Endesa Hellas, to have an installed capacity of 600 megawatts; the estimated cost is 890 million euros. A securities analyst reported in May 2007 that the company had submitted an application for a power generation license. In July 2007, Endesa Hellas reported that the company aimed to have the "clean coal" plant online by the first half of 2013. (It also flagged that plans for a "clean coal" plant of unstated capacity were under development for a location in Albania).(See also Greece and coal)

• Sardinia Power Station is proposed by Endesa Italia S.R.L. to have an installed capacity of 400 megawatts. (See also Italy and coal)

• Punta Alcade power station, proposed by Endesa for Chile.

Contact details

Website: http://www.endesa.es/Portal/en/default.htm

Articles and Resources

Related GEM.wiki articles

• Europe and coal
• Greece and coal
• Italy and coal
• Spain and coal

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