Minera Poderosa is implementing several initiatives to move towards energy transition in its operations. This transition involves changes in energy production, distribution and consumption with the objective of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and curbing global warming.

B.Eng. Jose Estela, Superintendent of Energy Projects at Minera Poderosa, explained that the company established in its 2021-2026 Strategic Plan to migrate towards clean energy in its operations and reach carbon neutrality by 2030, in Scope 1 related to its own emissions and Scope 2 regarding electricity purchases.

To this end, Poderosa is working on several projects such as the generation of electrical power through solar photovoltaic and hydroelectric energy, the implementation of circular economy in its processes, and an energy efficiency program in all its units, which is currently in the measurement and diagnosis phase.

Challenges on the path to energy transition

The lengthy process of obtaining socio-environmental permits for clean energy projects and the remote location of its operations are some of the challenges faced by Minera Poderosa on the path to achieving energy transition, according to B.Eng. Jose Estela.

Poderosa's strategy to attain carbon neutrality has focused firstly on measuring the carbon footprint of its activities over the past three fiscal years 2020, 2021 and 2022; then, assessing the potential for renewable energy at the mining unit, generating and purchasing clean electricity; and reducing the use of fossil fuels in transportation and thermal generation. Poderosa is implementing a pilot project with an electric bus that has just been awarded to a local supplier.

Opportunities in the transition towards a carbon-neutral economy

This transition provides opportunities for Poderosa, such as reducing electricity generation costs through renewable energies and using electromobility in the transportation it provides, which also results in more work and a better quality of life, health and safety for workers in mining operations. The transition makes Poderosa a sustainable and carbon neutral leader in the Peruvian mining sector and worldwide, B.Eng. Jose Estela pointed out.

Collaborative work

Poderosa is working with strategic partners on the purchase of clean energy for the 2023-2027 period. The first green certificates will be issued in the first months of 2024. The company is also implementing distributed and hybrid generation projects with photovoltaic solar panels and lithium batteries at the Chagual airfield, at the Paraiso camp and soon in the warehouses, camps and canteens of the Santa Maria and Maranon units, B.Eng. Jose Estela stated.

In addition, a 4 MW and 8 MWh lithium battery energy storage system (BESS) is expected to start operating at the unit in September 2023, which is the first Peak Shaving of its kind in Peru in a mining company, he said.