Aquila, the largest distribution company in Romania, has announced the inauguration of a 0.1 MW solar power plant and has launched its first Sustainability Strategy (ESG), which aims at three main strategic directions for the period 2022-2026: environment and climate change, human capital and communities, ethics and governance.
The company’s sustainability goals are to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 10% over the next five years, implement a series of procedures in line with green procurement principles, reduce the amount of plastic packaging and use reusable alternatives, and assessing the impact of Aquila’s activity on water resources.
“We believe in the sustainable development of our business and are committed to adopting sustainable solutions in our current operations and in our long-term growth strategy. We do not stop here and adapt our organizational culture to the new commitments made by the ESG strategy. And together with our partners, customers and suppliers, we create fair jobs for employees and we are actively involved to improve the living conditions in our communities,” says Răzvan Bagherea, Director of Organization and Human Resources, Aquila.
The company also announces the inauguration of its first photovoltaic plant, located in Ploiești, an exclusively own investment that will be amortized in about four years. The electricity generated by the plant will be used for the needs of the company, and the additional quantities will be sold in the system, as the company will also obtain the quality of prosumer. The plant has a capacity of 0.1 MW and consists of 222 panels, spread over an area of 720 square meters.
“Through this investment we continue the efforts to increase the sustainability of our business, according to the new ESG strategy and the targets to increase the operational efficiency and value of the company. Investing in renewable energy is a long-term solution to climate challenges and also helps to improve Aquila’s financial performance. As a leader in the field of distribution, we are determined to impose the highest possible environmental standards, which the industry should take over and develop,” says Răzvan Bagherea, Director of Organization and Human Resources Aquila.
The company’s ESG strategy also aims to implement measures to reduce and recycle packaging and waste, as well as to implement an integrated group-level health, safety, environmental and social management system. Moreover, over the next five years, Aquila aims to increase the number of women in management positions, maintain approximately 3,000 jobs, implement the strategy of decarbonizing the business, and ensure a sustainable supply chain.
Aquila posted, on September 30, 2021, a net profit of 43.8 million lei, increasing by 21% compared to the same period of 2020, the highest since the establishment of the company. Revenues increased by 19% to 1,376 million lei during the reporting period, mainly due to the organic growth of the distribution area and the acquisition of Trigor AVD, one of the leading players in the consumer goods distribution market in the Republic of Moldova.
