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Resource use and circular economy

view of frera hydro plant in ganda italy

In addressing contemporary environmental challenges, the transition to a circular economy model plays a crucial role, where the rational use of energy is accompanied by the use of other natural resources.
The construction and operation of infrastructure can contribute to pressure on local ecosystems, reducing the availability of natural resources. To promote a sustainable energy transition in the country, we invest in research and development of more efficient and environmentally friendly production technologies. Achieving ambitious decarbonization goals requires a systemic transformation, leveraging internal expertise to innovatively rethink asset management, with the aim of maximizing competitiveness and reducing dependence on critical resources.

Edison Next and biomass district heating: sustainable heat for local communities
Through Edison Next, we are expanding our biomass‑based district heating network across several cities in northern Italy, delivering renewable heat to households, public buildings and service‑sector facilities. All projects are based on a shared principle: the use of virgin wood chips sourced from local forest maintenance activities, following a short supply‑chain model, to fuel cogeneration plants that simultaneously produce heat and electricity. This approach reduces reliance on fossil fuels and significantly cuts emissions. The construction sites launched in 2025 clearly reflect this commitment:
 
  • In Rivoli, in the province of Turin, one of the most extensive networks is currently under development and will supply renewable heat to more than 4,000 households.
     
  • In Cesano Boscone, in the Milan metropolitan area, Edison Next has taken over an existing district heating plant and is significantly expanding it, extending the service from 1,600 to approximately 7,000 equivalent households.
     
  • Further east, in Romano di Lombardia, in the province of Bergamo, the first kilometers of the network are already operational, providing heat to schools, social and healthcare facilities, and private homes. Once completed, expected by 2026, emissions are projected to be reduced by nearly 40%.
     
  • Finally, in Borgo San Dalmazzo, in the province of Cuneo, the network is already largely operational, with local health authorities and social and healthcare facilities among the first users to be connected. The system delivers energy cost savings of between 10% and 20% and contributes to improved air quality across the community.

The development of biomethane

We develop innovative solutions for the energy system where biogas can play a strategic role and a valid alternative to natural gas, contributing to improving services, environmental and social impacts on territories in the long term. To this end, we have launched an ambitious development plan for the construction of new biogas production plants, both in liquid (LNG) and gaseous form, with the aim of building at least 10 plants by 2030 and consolidating a prominent position in the sector, operating on multiple fronts with the construction and management of biogas plants based on the use of the Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Waste (FORSU). 

 View of biogas plant
Aerial view of the Melfi waste to energy plant

Waste-to-energy

Edison Next offers industrial customers a range of services covering the entire waste management cycle, based on the principle that every waste can become a resource. These services aim to reduce both the environmental and economic impact of waste handling, including classification, brokerage, treatment, waste-to-energy conversion and final disposal. In this context, the Melfi plant stands out as a leader in electricity production and flue gas treatment, ensuring the waste-to-energy processing of 65,000 tons of waste annually through two lines dedicated to incinerating special and municipal solid waste.

Sustainable Offices Project
Within the Sustainable Offices Project, since 2022 at our Milan headquarter we have joined the RiVending initiative, which focuses on the effective recovery and recycling of plastic cups, stirrers and PET bottles, contributing to the reduction of plastic waste. At our Rivoli office, we have adopted NANDO, a ReLearn system based on advanced sensors and artificial intelligence, aimed at reducing the most common errors in waste sorting and thus improving the recycling rate. Alongside new ecological islands at our sites, these initiatives help reduce waste volume and increase the percentage of recycling, particularly of plastics.
restaurant headquarter edison building milan

Initiatives for circularity
We actively participate in various awareness initiatives on circularity:
 
  • We took part in the 28th edition of Ecomondo, the leading European event dedicated to the green and circular economy;
     
  • We joined the Committee of the “Circular Economy” and “Biomethane Outlook” Observatory at Energy & Strategy (Politecnico di Milano), contributing to the study of the main trends transforming the industrial world towards a circular economy and monitoring the spread and development potential of biomethane in Italy;
     
  • We collaborate with the Organisation Méditerranéenne de l’Energie et du Climat (OMEC) and contribute to the Circular Economy Task Force (TFEC), which is focused on developing and implementing strategies for the transition of energy systems towards a circular economy model (resource efficiency, promotion of renewable energy sources, more sustainable and resilient energy supply chains);
     
  • From 2024, through Edison Next, we joined the Circular Economy Network, a platform created by the Foundation for Sustainable Development that brings together companies, associations and research institutes with the goal of promoting the development of the circular economy in Italy through strategies, policies and measures to be proposed to policymakers, as well as the dissemination of practices and techniques.