At Aquila Capital, we believe that our long-term success is based on ongoing integration of ESG principles into all aspects of our business.
An important aspect of our sustainability strategy is our local engagement. We “think global, act local” and implement sustainability initiatives in the areas of our projects in order to create further value.
In addition to the direct impacts of generating clean energy, Aquila Capital aims to further enhance the value of our projects through an early dialogue with the relevant local stakeholders. Depending on the project, the generation of local social value, environmental protection and/or education are some possibilities to realise this purpose.
Through an early dialogue with local stakeholders, as well as the analysis of social and environmental impacts studies, strategies and initiatives are designed project-specifically.
For our social engagement on one of our projects we were very proud to receive a corporate sustainability award in 2021. The Norwegian Wind Energy Association (NORWEA) has awarded our team on-site with their "Norwea Corporate Responsibility Award" ("Samfunnsbyggeren"), which awards Norwea members who have excelled with a particularly positive community involvement, for example through social or environmental sustainability.
Please see a selection of the initiatives facilitated by Aquila Capital below.
For Midtfjellet Vindkraft, an onshore wind farm in southwestern Norway, we are contributing to the local community through all kinds of activities, including cultural, sports and other. We provide financial support for activities at school orchestras, sports clubs, local churches, schools and kindergartens, theatre groups and senior centres. In total, contribution to the local community amounts to approximately NOK 400,000 (EUR 40,000) annually.
A highlight every year is “Midtfjellet Day”. This festival for the community is organised in cooperation with the Fitjar sports association and has become a popular cultural event over the years. The event includes the Midtfjellet Run, which starts in the centre of the city and ends at the wind turbines. Many runners from Aquila Capital take part in the run together with locals and there are prizes distributed afterwards.
Around 500-800 participants gather at this annual festival, either taking part in the run, hiking the landscape, or spending some time together and being part of the community. In addition to this day, we also organise a separate half-marathon and a special 5,419 km run (which is the same length as the Fitjar postcode), to further boost our involvement in building a community spirit.
Midtfjellet Day has helped to show the communities that the use of wind power benefits local communities. The wind farm is also used by the university for educational purposes for undergraduate and graduate students and for scientific work.
For Midtfjellet, we were very proud to receive a corporate sustainability award for our local engagement. The Norwegian Wind Energy Association (NORWEA) has awarded our team on-site with their "Norwea Corporate Responsibility Award" ("Samfunnsbyggeren"), which awards Norwea members who have excelled with a particularly positive community involvement, for example through social or environmental sustainability.
In Northern Norway, Aquila Capital is developing a large wind park on Øyfjellet mountain. In addition to creating local value as a direct result of the project, we are supporting the restauration of the local “Helgelandstrappa”.
The Helgelandstrappa is Norway’s longest stone staircase. Its 3,000 steps lead up the 818-metre-high Øyfjellet mountain in Helgeland from where visitors can enjoy the spectacular view over the fjord.
The Helgelandstrappa was constructed by the Nepalese Sherpas whose traditional home is in the mountains of eastern Himalaya, India, Tibet and Nepal. The Sherpas, who were hired to build the Helgelandstrappa up Øyfjellet mountain, are well-known for their great trails that are being constructed with immense respect for nature. The Helgelandstrappa was built in accordance with the Sherpas’ knowledge for nature trails and nicely fits into the mountain landscape.
Through our contribution, we aim to create local value by supporting local outdoor activities for the community as well as tourism.
In the Tabernas desert in the South of Spain, we are developing a large solar PV park by the name of “La Cabrita”. Located in what is said to be the only desert of Europe, the Fortress is a local historical landmark, which was initially built in the 11th century during the time of Arab domination.
Cooperating closely with the town’s administration in identifying local needs, Aquila Capital is now contributing to the restoration of the Hispanic-Muslim fortress, a hallmark of the area.
Through our contribution, we aim to create local value by supporting the maintenance of the historic landmark for the community.