• ACCIONA is the first company in Norway to achieve ISO 50001 certification for a construction project

The company has been certified after thorough and targeted work on energy efficiency on the extensive E6 Ranheim – Værnes project in Trøndelag.

"We are incredibly proud to be the first in the construction sector to achieve this certification. It shows that targeted work pays off," says Francisco Vicente, Project Director of ACCIONA.

ISO 50001 provides an important stamp of approval for the methods and processes used to improve the energy efficiency of the important infrastructure project and is proof that the organisation has a good energy management system, which reduces energy consumption and environmental impact while increasing profitability.

 

Targeted work from the start

During the planning phase, both risks and opportunities were identified before an energy audit was carried out to map energy consumption and opportunities for improvement. A dedicated energy management team was also established, given special responsibility for establishing processes, setting quantifiable energy targets and developing an action plan to achieve them.

"ACCIONA will be a driving force for renewable innovation, and we work continuously to find new solutions that promote sustainability, technological development and local value creation. This certification is a good example of our success in the E6 Ranheim – Værnes project," says Vicente.

The planned measures were then implemented. The measures included raising awareness of the use of energy, as well as improvements in logistics for loading, storing and handling excavated material.

After these measures were implemented, the follow-up phase began. At this time, key performance indicators, often called KPIs, were established to measure and monitor energy consumption.

 

Approved by DNV

After the measurement phase, a final phase began focusing on review and continuous improvement.  The energy efficiency management system was thoroughly reviewed to assess the efficiency and identify improvements. This involved analysing the results obtained, identifying deviations from energy targets and implementing necessary corrective actions.

After three months of implementing new measures, ACCIONA requested an audit from the certification agency DNV, which verified that the system met the requirements of ISO 50001.

"The initiative is in line with our quality and environmental goals, which include reducing fossil fuel consumption by 45%. It is also in line with the guidelines of ACCIONA's Sustainability Master Plan, concludes Vicente.

The certification was funded by ACCIONA's Decarbonisation Fund, which is one of the tools the company has established to reduce its direct emissions and energy consumption by 60 per cent between 2017 and 2030. The decarbonisation fund helps finance promising projects with the potential for significant emission cuts.