Enel is a finalist of the prestigious The Circular2017 international prize, with its project for the redevelopment of 23 decommissioned plants, which include Montalto di Castro and Porto Tolle
A challenge with six contenders. Enel is competing against BASF, Cisco, Johnson Controls, Nike and Patagonia for the award of The Circular2017 that rewards the best circular economy projects. The prize will be awarded in January at the World Economic Forum in Davos (Switzerland).
Enel was selected due to its Futur-e sustainable urban regeneration plans, for the recovery of 23 decommissioned plants in Italy, covering a surface of 1,300 hectares, including the Montalto di Castro (Viterbo) and Porto Tolle (Rovigo) facilities. The proposals for the redevelopment of these two sites, to be submitted by February 3, should be in line with the Futur-e principles: recovery and sharing of goods and ideas, sustainability and cost optimisation, purchasing only when needed (Product as service).
In particular, the eight expressions of interest already submitted for Montalto propose reusing it for purposes of agricultural food, tourism and hospitality industry, culture and industrial innovation (for startups, business incubator, R&D centre, logistical or sports hub). Other proposals for urban waste management and processing, as well as for electricity generation, were discarded because not in line with the principles of sustainability and innovation.
The expectations in the tourism industry are even greater for the Porto Tolle plant, which due to its strategic position in the Po Delta, covering almost 235 hectares on the lagoon, can easily become a tourist magnet. The first two expressions of interest are precisely in this industry, proposing a new life for the site as an environmentally friendly resort and a centre for environmental promotion.
Le prime due manifestazioni d’interesse si sono rivolte proprio a questo comparto, ipotizzandone una nuova vita come ecoresort e centro di promozione ambientale.
