Climate change

Climate change is a material environmental topic for Repower that is relevant to its reputation. Greenhouse gas emissions at Repower stem from energy generation and the upstream and downstream supply chain.

Impacts

Repower’s greenhouse gas emissions stem in particular from energy generation and the upstream and downstream supply chain. A large proportion of the electricity generated is from hydropower, wind and solar assets. Repower also operates a gas-fired combined cycle power plant in Teverola. An important function of this facility is to ensure grid stability. However, this involves the emission of greenhouse gases. Further emissions arise along the supply chain, mainly from the sale of electricity and gas to end-consumers. However, Repower can also contribute to climate change mitigation in its upstream and downstream supply chain by consciously managing purchasing and procurement, providing smart metering solutions and expanding its electric transportation business.

Risks

In 2024, Repower voluntarily conducted an analysis of its climate-related risks and opportunities based on the Swiss Ordinance on Climate Reporting. Climate change entails both risks and opportunities for Repower. The group has analysed what these are and how they will affect Repower (see TCFD content index). Climate change poses challenges for Repower that include both transition risks and physical risks. Rising CO₂ prices could increase the costs of operating Teverola combined-cycle gas turbine power plant. Bottlenecks in raw materials and infrastructure could delay projects and increase costs. Even though all the necessary precautions are taken, a reputational risk cannot be ruled out, particularly in connection with direct emissions and emissions in the value chain. When it comes to physical risks, Repower distinguishes between chronic risks and acute risks. Chronic physical risks stem in particular from changing precipitation patterns, water scarcity and glacier melt. These chronic risks particularly affect the Repower Group’s hydropower generation. Acute physical risks such as extreme weather events can damage infrastructure. Periods of low wind can reduce the efficiency of wind turbines, and temporary water shortages due to droughts can lead to unexpected and unplanned losses of production.

Risks related to climate are a component of the Repower Group’s risk and control assessment (see Introduction). From 2025, the findings of the risk analysis carried out will also be integrated into the group’s risk and control assessment.

Guidelines and due diligence

Repower Switzerland has an environmental management system certified to ISO 14001 which defines clear processes for measuring greenhouse gas emissions annually. SET S.p.A., the operator of Teverola gas-fired combined cycle power plant, also has an ISO 14001-certified environmental management system and is registered with the European Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS). The Teverola plant is subject to the provisions of the European Greenhouse Gas Emission Trading System (ETS) and is legally obliged to offset its CO₂ emissions. At the beginning of each three-year cycle, the management of plant also formulates an environmental programme and defines the most important measures under the environmental management system (see Water use).

Repower sets climate targets

In 2024, the Repower Group set itself clear climate targets. There is an intensity target for electricity generation: net zero by 2050, with an interim target of -15 per cent by 2035. An absolute target has been defined for the remaining Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions: net zero by 2050 and a 42 per cent reduction by 2030. The base year is 2022.

These targets have been approved by the board of directors. They have been set realistically and are to be achieved through concrete measures and continuous monitoring.

Measures

The Repower group is investing in the expansion of renewables in Switzerland, Italy and Germany and is committed to maintaining existing power plants (see Energy transition).

To reduce traffic-related CO₂ emissions, the company’s own vehicle fleet is gradually being converted to electric wherever possible. Employees receive contributions towards public transport season tickets, and charging infrastructure and electric bikes are available at Repower sites.

Stakeholder engagement

When planning new projects or renovations, Repower Switzerland involves the relevant stakeholders at an early stage. Teverola combined-cycle gas turbine plant publishes an updated environmental statement every year (see Water use). The electrification process at Repower takes place in collaboration with internal departments such as vehicle management and external partners such as Mobility.

Measuring effectiveness

The Repower Group measures its direct (Scope 1) and indirect (Scope 2 and 3) greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol) and the operational control approach. The base year is 2022. A detailed list of greenhouse gas emissions can be found in the Annex.

Direct greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1): Direct greenhouse gas emissions account for 5.3 per cent of the Repower Group’s total emissions. Across the group they amounted to 210,991 tCO₂e in 2024; 99.4 per cent of this came from the Teverola combined cycle gas turbine power plant. This represents a reduction of 18.4 per cent versus the prior year, mainly due to the low volumes of electricity generated at Teverola in 2024.

Indirect energy-related greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 2): Indirect energy-related greenhouse gas emissions account for 0.1 per cent of the Repower Group’s total emissions. In 2024, market-based emissions came to 3,782 tCO₂e. This represents a reduction of 7.1 per cent versus the prior year. The reduction is due to the fact that Repower Switzerland uses the previous year’s electricity labelling for the calculation of Scope 2. In 2023, the emissions were based on the values from 2022, when less electricity was available from Graubünden owing to lower snowmelt and precipitation. In 2023, electricity production normalised, resulting in lower emissions from electricity for Repower’s own use in 2024.

Other indirect greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 3): Indirect (Scope 3) emissions account for 94.6 per cent of the Repower Group’s total emissions. In 2024 they came to 3,776,705 tCO₂e. A large part of these emissions stem from the sale of electricity and gas to end-consumers.