Page 19 - Infinity Power Sustainability Report 2024
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19 INFINITY POWER 2024 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT | PROTECTING THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
Project lifecycle impacts Responsible water use
Water used and withdrawn Water intensity
We consider the environmental impact of our projects Water management remains important across our
2.5
at every stage - from design and construction to predominantly arid operating regions. Water use
3.75 0.15
2 1.76
operation and decommissioning. Our wind and solar is typically higher at our solar sites, where it’s needed
projects are built to last 20-25 years, and while none to clean solar panels and ensure equipment works 2023 3.90 1.5
have reached the end of their life yet, we continue to efficiently. Solar panels are dry cleaned each 1
0.95
explore new ways to reuse materials and improve the month, with wet cleaning rationed to twice a year 0.5
7.01 0.03
circularity of resources. to conserve water. 0
2024 7.04 2023 2024
The most significant environmental impact of our In 2024, our water use increased, particularly for our wind
Litres of water used per MWh of energy generated
wind and solar assets is raw material extraction and assets due to remedial work at our West Bakr wind farm On average, 1,400 litres of water are used per MWh in
South Africa’s electricity system, primarily through the
processing. Solar panels rely on energy-intensive in Egypt. Despite this, we implemented water-saving Wind projects Solar projects cooling process for thermal power stations.
materials including polysilicon and critical metals, often initiatives across several other wind farms, recognising ( million litres)
produced in coal-powered regions such as China, while the operational challenges specific to each site. This
wind turbines require substantial concrete and steel. includes an innovative waste-water treatment solution
Avoided water use
These materials face growing supply chain instability, at Kangnas and Perdekraal East wind farms in South
and we are working to reduce risks by diversifying Africa (see right). 3200
suppliers and exploring designs that use fewer materials
3,006
without reducing performance. Our South African operations avoided close to 3 million 3000
3
m of water compared with traditional methods of
2,957
After construction, we aim to reuse materials in local energy generation. That’s around 1,200 Olympic-sized 2800
community projects, turning leftover parts into valuable swimming pools of water saved in a country where
2600
resources. This supports Africa’s emerging circular regional water scarcity can be significant.
2023 2024
economy and the African Circular Economy Alliance’s
2024 strategy to prioritise resource efficiency in the In total, our water use increased significantly this year, Water use avoided (million litres)
This number only measures water use avoided from our electricity
energy sector. According to the International Renewable from 3.90 to 7.04 million litres of water withdrawn. This
generation in South Africa, as the average water consumption
Energy Agency (IRENA), up to 90% of turbine materials was largely due to remedial works at our West Bakr wind figures for electricity in Egypt and Senegal are unavailable.
and 95% of solar panel components, could be recycled farm in Egypt where we moved several access roads
and reused. as part of the final site completion and restoration.
Excluding the remedial works at West Bakr, our water use
remained stable at 3.80 million litres in 2024, compared
to 3.90 million litres in 2023.