Enel Green Power has completed construction of an apiary as part of a 187MW (dc) solar project it is constructing in Columbia.
Solar apiaries are groups of hives located within solar energy projects.
With the construction of the solar apiary in the La Loma solar project, Enel Green Power is aiming to promote the coexistence of bees, community and clean energy in the same space, contributing to the sustainable development of the Cesar department.
To date, 15 hives have been built and the first honey extraction is expected before the end of the year.
The developer is working with 17 people from the towns of Potrerillo and La Loma, in the municipality of El Paso, who have been trained through the National Learning Service (SENA) in managing this species and are further participating in a process of strengthening beekeeping practices from four fronts: best beekeeping practices, beehive production, reproduction of Africanised bees, as well as ventures and business marketing.
The hives have been built with wood resulting from the forest harvesting work in the construction phase of the project, therefore extending the useful life of this raw material and turning it into a circular entrance for the development of new products (habitats), two of the five pillars of the Enel Group’s Circular Economy strategy.
“The Italian National Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (Ispra) estimates that bees are responsible for about 70% of the pollination of all plant species, guaranteeing about 35% of global food production.
“If we take these figures into account, added to the fact that 40% of pollinators are in danger of extinction, the conservation of this species is essential for the preservation of ecosystems and the wellbeing of the environment,” said Gian Paolo Daguer, sustainability manager of Enel in Colombia.
“Photovoltaic plants built in rural areas can coexist and share spaces with agricultural practices. With this initiative we demonstrate that energy efficiency can be combined with sustainable land use, local economies, and biodiversity protection.
“In this way, we also contribute to Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 8: Decent work and economic growth and 15: Forests, desertification and biodiversity,” added Daguer.
In addition to Colombia, Enel Green Power is committed to beekeeping in its Las Conchas (Spain), Aurora (United States), and Kafireas (Greece) solar parks.