Other non-financial information
CO2 and energy
This section provides a detailed review of the energy consumption by Alliander itself and the CO2-related impacts of operations. The methodology and the conversion factors used are also described.
Energy consumption
Alliander uses 2012 as a reference year for comparison of energy and CO2 data. The reason for this is that 2012 is the year in which the targets for CO2-related emissions were formulated. In that year, emissions totalled 761 kilotons of CO2-eq without a greening policy. Gross emissions in 2021 amounted to 450 kilotons of CO2-eq (-41% compared to 2012); including greening, our own organisation’s net emissions amounted to 115 kilotons of CO2-eq.
At least 10% of the electricity consumption of our buildings is fed by renewable electricity we generate ourselves on site. The remaining electricity consumption for buildings is procured. The energy mix of this procurement comprises 49.2% renewable energy production and 50.8% generated from gas. The electricity label for this gives 398g of CO2/kWh. The entire CO2 volume is compensated by Guarantees of Origin for wind energy produced in the Netherlands. The Duiven and Arnhem Bellevue offices are moreover practically energy-neutral (at least an A label) and surplus is fed back into the grid. All Alliander offices will meet the A, B or C label criteria by 2023 at the latest.
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
Energy consumption of buildings | |||
Gas consumption in buildings (m3) | 1,069,106 | 920,301 | 1,386,649 |
Electricity consumption in buildings (kWh) | 8,202,984 | 8,095,728 | 9,779,593 |
Fuel consumption of vehicle fleet (litres) | |||
Petrol | 1,115,626 | 1,103,185 | 1,360,318 |
Diesel | 2,770,679 | 3,102,545 | 4,392,424 |
LPG | 2,154 | 4,960 | 10,186 |
Electricity1 (kWh) | 2,432,381 | 358,201 | 0 |
Commuter traffic, business travel, air travel (km) | 8,846,583 | 11,157,113 | 29,122,704 |
- 1 In 2018 and 2019, the electricity consumption for our vehicle fleet was accounted for in the consumption for our buildings. This figure is reported on separately as of 2020.
GJ | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | Conversion factor1 |
Energy consumption of buildings | ||||
Gas and heat consumption | 37,600 GJ | 32,367GJ | 32,384GJ | 35.17 official calorific value of Slochteren natural gas |
Electricity consumption2 | 29,531 GJ | 29,145GJ | 33,645GJ | conversion factor 3.6, SI unit conversion factor |
Total energy usage in buildings | 67,131 GJ | 61,512GJ | 66,029GJ | |
Energy consumption for transport & mobility | Conversion factor | |||
Petrol | 36,146 GJ | 35,743GJ | 50,190GJ | conversion factor 32.4 |
Diesel | 99,190 GJ | 111,071GJ | 141,297GJ | conversion factor 35.8 |
LPG | 56 GJ | 129GJ | 264GJ | conversion factor 26 |
Electricity | 8,757 GJ | 1,290GJ | 0GJ | conversion factor 3.6 |
Total energy usage for transport & mobility | 144,149 GJ | 148,233GJ | 191,751GJ | |
Total energy usage | 211,280 GJ | 209,775GJ | 257,780GJ |
- 1 Source for calorific values and conversion factors: ‘calorische waarde’ (joostdevree.nl)
- 2 The value of the electricity feed-in to the grid is 4.2 GJ.
CO2-emissions and carbon footprint
A sector-wide uniform emissions standard has been used for the purposes of the section entitled ‘Making the energy supply and our organisation sustainable’. This differs from the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol. The figures expressed in CO2 equivalents in accordance with the GHG Protocol are presented in the following table.
CO2emissions in tons1 | 2021 | 20202 |
Scope 1 | ||
Gas consumption in buildings | 2,014 | 1,758 |
Heat use in buildings | 33 | - |
Natural gas network leakage loss | 138,575 | 136,032 |
Lease & company cars: | 13,466 | 13,346 |
SF6 emissions | 1,097 | 2,488 |
Use of generators | 8,848 | 8,479 |
Total for scope 1, own organisation | 164,034 | 162,104 |
Scope 2 | ||
Electricity in buildings | 3,330 | 3,287 |
Network losses on electricity, technical | 194,017 | 139,276 |
Network losses on electricity, administrative | 87,012 | 62,462 |
Total for scope 2, own organisation | 284,359 | 205,025 |
Scope 3 | ||
Commuter traffic | 1,419 | 1,677 |
Business and air travel | 31 | 20 |
Total for scope 3, own organisation | 1,450 | 1,697 |
Total for scopes 1, 2 and 3, own organisation | 449,842 | 368,825 |
Greening/Offsetting | ||
Greening network losses E | 281,029 | 170,070 |
Greening network losses G | 40,048 | 6,802 |
Greening of gas consumption in buildings | 2,047 | 1,758 |
Greening of electricity consumption in buildings | 3,330 | 3,287 |
Greening of vehicle fleet | 7,888 | 10,776 |
Total for greening, own organisation | 334,343 | 192,692 |
Total for own organisation including greening | 115,499 | 176,133 |
Scope 3 - Supply chain emissions | ||
Components for network expansion/upgrades | 205,830 | - |
Maintenance, construction and procured services | 164,382 | - |
Other (waste, investments and energy) | 75,591 | - |
Total for scope 3, supply chain emissions | 445,802 | - |
Total footprint | 561,301 | 176,133 |
- 1 The CO2 emissions are calculated in terms of CO2 equivalents. The main underlying greenhouse gases are methane, SF6 and CO2 emissions resulting from energy generation from fossil fuels.
- 2 The net CO2 emissions figure for 2020 has been recalculated using the most recent emission factors (2020).
Most of the figures included in the tables and graphs in this report are taken from the underlying source systems. Some figures, however, are derived from third-party records or reports.
Arriving at the carbon footprint and the energy consumption involves making assumptions and estimates. Since 2016, the CO2 emissions factor for the grid losses has been calculated on the basis of the energy purchased from our suppliers to cover grid losses. The 2020 electricity labels have been used for the 2021 annual report. This gives a figure for the CO2 coefficient of 0.21743 kg CO2/kWh. This includes an adjustment of 2% for tank-to-wheel. Of the CO2 footprint, 62% is attributable to network losses in the electricity infrastructure. From 2020, network operators will be obliged to purchase the natural gas leakage loss over a larger part of the chain. This means that it now represents a much higher proportion of our carbon footprint. Gas leakage losses accounted for 31% of the gross footprint in 2021, compared with 11% in 2019. Gas leakage losses are based on consumption by customers without an energy contract, improper use or theft of gas from the network and the number of kilometres of gas mains in Alliander’s gas network. Cast-iron gas mains have higher leakage losses (322.5m3/km) than the regular PE pipes (55.3m3/km) and therefore higher emissions. The CO2 equivalent is calculated using a factor of 28 (methane). We reported procurement-related supply chain emissions in 2021 as part of scope 3. These are emissions which take place at our suppliers when making, transporting and delivering services and products. Calculations take place on the basis of key emission figures for each sector multiplied by Alliander’s expenditure in the sector. These emissions are beyond the scope of our climate objectives and form no part of the intensity indicator.
2021 | 20201 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||
Net CO2-eq emissions | kt | 115 | 176 | 243 | 288 | 416 |
Net revenue | € million | 2,120 | 2,009 | 1,930 | 1,920 | 1,697 |
Net CO2-eq emissions/net revenue | tonne/€ million | 54 | 88 | 126 | 150 | 245 |
- 1 The net CO2 emission result for 2020 has been recalculated according to the most recent emission factors (2020).
Our carbon footprint per million euros in revenue has been greatly reduced in recent years through targeted measures.
Transport
The greatest impact Alliander has relates to the activity of distributing energy to end users. This accounts for the following volumes:
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
Electricity transmission | 27,262 GWh | 29,723 kWh | 28,548 kWh |
Gas transmission | 6,056 million m3 | 5,600 million m3 | 5,860 million m3 |
The calculated network losses are the end result of the allocation and reconciliation process, in which the difference is calculated for all volumes entering the Liander network less all volumes taken up by end users. The main causes of network losses are losses that occur during transmission (through resistance or other factors), customers who consume electricity without an energy contract, and improper use or theft of electricity from the grid. The total grid losses are finalised using a ‘reconciliation’ process. Meter readings are often estimated and only read at a later time, meaning there is delay in settlement and allocation and it takes a few years for data to be finalised.
To arrive at the energy intensity ratio, Alliander divides its own energy usage in gigajoules (GJ) by its net revenue. This ratio takes into account the gas and electricity consumption of buildings and the fuel consumption of the vehicle fleet. The development of the ratio over a series of years shows the decrease in Alliander’s own energy usage per million euros of net revenue. We saw a reduction in energy consumption due to lower occupancy of our buildings as a consequence of the pandemic.
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
Energy intensity ratio | 99 GJ/€ million (211,280/2,127) | 104 GJ/€ million (209,775/2,009) | 133.6GJ/€ million (257,780/1,930) |
- * This information is not available by energy type. Where Alliander is concerned, a view is obtained according to energy type for Scope 1 use; the distinction according to energy type for Alliander’s own use is of a far smaller magnitude and impact and is therefore immaterial.
Green gas
The total feed-in of green gas in the area supplied by Alliander during the year 2021 was 59 million m3, a 7% increase compared with 2020. This involved connections to 22 green gas production facilities. The term ‘green gas’ refers to:
Green gas: bio-SNG, biogas, and landfill gas conditioned and upgraded to natural gas quality. Gas satisfying the definition of gas as a fuel but differing in that it is a product of a fermentation or digestion process. The two main components of biogas are CH4 and CO2.
Landfill gas: gas satisfying the definition of gas as a fuel but differing in that it is a product of the natural processes of decay in a landfill site for waste disposal. The analysis is similar to that of biogas.
Bio-SNG: SNG – substitute/synthetic natural gas – produced exclusively from biomass.
Crisis organisation
In case of major outages, an internal crisis organisation is mobilised. Within this organisation, staff members of various departments work on-call shifts. Depending on the nature and scale of the incident, when the crisis is over, we set up a case and/or investigation team to assist and ensure the completion of any internal and/or external investigations. All major incidents are evaluated to identify and implement possible improvements.
CSR organisation
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a responsibility that is integral to all parts of the business and is included in the Planning & Control cycle. All the business units perform an analysis of the qualitative and quantitative impacts which their operations have on society. The Management Board has overall responsibility for the economic, ecological and social impact of Alliander. The CSR Manager communicates the policy to the managers of the separate entities and assists the management team in defining quantifiable parameters for monitoring progress. The Management Board and the Supervisory Board liaise with stakeholder representatives. Their presence or representation at regular and ad hoc meetings ensures an active awareness of developments and views regarding strategic topics. See the section of the report covering Interaction with stakeholders for the various social concerns that have been discussed.
The results of the CSR policy are evaluated with the stakeholders. The extent to which stakeholders appreciate the policy that is pursued and the results that are achieved is gauged by such means as customer surveys, employee surveys, shareholders’ meetings, round table meetings and the social reports.
External assurance of the social part of the annual report
Alliander believes it important for its stakeholders to have formal assurance regarding the social part of the annual report. Alliander has received an unqualified assurance report for its 2021 annual report, affording reasonable assurance with respect to the most relevant part of the annual report, namely the principal management variables taken into account by the company (both financial and non-financial).
Alliander has also obtained reasonable assurance in relation to the material aspects of its reporting (materiality test). Additionally, Alliander has received an unqualified assurance report affording limited assurance covering the rest of the social part of the annual report. To guarantee the quality of the social information, Alliander adopts the Three Lines model. The various business units are required to submit social information gathered in connection with the stakeholder dialogue, the materiality test and GRI activities, as well as in other ways. The separate entities form the first line of defence and are responsible for supplying reliable information. The business controllers of each business unit form the second line of defence and ensure that their business submits its information reliably and on time. The business controllers check such things as the basis of the information and the analysis of it by the business itself and prepares a file for the verification carried out by the internal audit department. The internal audit department forms the third line of defence, verifying the social information before it is reviewed by the external auditors. The external auditors form the final link in the verification process and provide ultimate assurance, as expressed in the report.
Additional information
Description | 31-12-2021 | 31-12-2020 |
Date of report | 24-Feb-22 | 18-Feb-21 |
Customer | ||
Frequency of power outages (SAIFI) | 0.267 | 0.328 |
Power outage duration SAIDI (minutes) | 20.9 | 23.2 |
CAIDI (minutes) | 78.2 | 70.6 |
Efficiency of transmission and distribution: Total network losses as % of total feed-in | 4.21% | 4.40% |
Total length of leased fibre optic infrastructure | 4,986km | 4,416km |
Total length of fibre optic infrastructure | 4,279km | 4,158km |
Newly built fibre optic infrastructure | 121km | 253km |
Number of buildings disconnected | 3,210 | 3,756 |
Employee | ||
Percentage of employees eligible for pension plan in 5 years’ time | 25% | 26% |
Percentage of employees eligible for pension plan in 10 years’ time | 36% | 37% |
Employees on a fixed-term employment contract (number) | 592 | 598 |
Percentage of men on a fixed-term employment contract | 81% | 80% |
Percentage of women on a fixed-term employment contract | 19% | 20% |
Employees on a permanent employment contract (number) | 5,571 | 5,383 |
Percentage of men on a permanent employment contract | 81% | 81% |
Percentage of women on a permanent employment contract | 19% | 19% |
Employees on a full-time employment contract or agency/contract staff contract (number) | 5,799 | 5,683 |
Percentage of men on a full-time employment contract or agency/contract staff contract | 88% | 88% |
Percentage of women on a full-time employment contract or agency/contract staff contract | 11% | 12% |
Employees on an agency/contract staff contract (number) | 1,151 | 1,067 |
Percentage of men on an agency/contract staff contract | 83% | 83% |
Percentage of women on an agency/contract staff contract | 16% | 17% |
Employees on a part-time employment contract or agency/contract staff contract (number) | 1,514 | 1,362 |
Percentage of men on a part-time employment contract or agency/contract staff contract | 53% | 51% |
Percentage of women on a part-time contract or agency/contract staff contract | 47% | 49% |
Total workforce (number) | 7,313 | 7,122 |
Total internal employees (FTEs) | 5,991 | 5,881 |
Total agency/contract workers (FTEs) | 1,172 | 980 |
Percentage of employee covered by and subject to collective provisions in employment contracts | 99.93% | 99.93% |
Inflow of male employees (number) | 539 | 574 |
Inflow of female employees (number) | 133 | 139 |
Outflow of male employees (number) | 381 | 414 |
Outflow of female employees (number) | 91 | 99 |
Employees aged <25 years | 113 | 125 |
Employees aged ≥55 years | 1,577 | 1,560 |
Employees aged 25-35 years | 1,288 | 1,319 |
Employees aged 35-45 years | 1,790 | 1,673 |
Employees aged 45-55 years | 1,395 | 1,380 |
Employees in leadership positions (number) | 469 | 470 |
Male employees (number) | 4,959 | 4,866 |
Female employees (number) | 1,203 | 1,191 |
Percentage of female employees in leadership positions | 28.1% | 29.0% |
People with poor employment prospects (number) | 62 | 108 |
Gender pay ratio | 101.3% | 100.7% |
Sickness absence rate | 4,6% | 3.9% |
Sickness absence rate among women | 4.4% | 4.3% |
Sickness absence rate among men | 5.4% | 3.9% |
Number of cases of complaints regarding occupational health and safety lodged through the formal complaints mechanism | 51 | 32 |
Percentage of workforce represented on formal occupational health and safety committees of employer and employee | 99.9% | 99.9% |
Number of reported cases of undesirable behaviour (and discrimination) by employees | 33 | 33 |
Number of employees who have completed safety training (and passed the associated exam) this year | 1,789 | 1,511 |
Number of contract employees who have completed safety training (and passed the associated exam) this year | 205 | 156 |
Environment | ||
Monetary value of significant fines and total number of non-monetary sanctions for non-compliance with environmental legislation and regulations | € 0 | € 3,000 |
Number of environmental incidents reported to the relevant authorities | 9 | 3 |
Number of financial sanctions imposed on account of non-compliance or inadequate compliance with environmental legislation and regulations | 1 | 1 |
Water consumption (m3) | 6,029 | 25,473 |
Office waste: paper (tonnes) | 736 | 815 |
Office waste: secure shredding service paper (tonnes) | 51 | 60 |
Office waste: miscellaneous (tonnes) | 239 | 324 |
Office waste: paper (tonnes) | 9 | 1 |
Industrial waste: metal (tonnes) | 7,044 | 7,252 |
Industrial waste: wood (tonnes) | 288 | 228 |
Industrial waste: plastic (tonnes) | 723 | 740 |
Industrial waste: soil (tonnes) | 1,023 | 1,734 |
Industrial waste: miscellaneous (tonnes) | 4,788 | 4,252 |
Hazardous waste (tonnes) | 926 | 616 |
Waste: total weight for the year (tonnes) | 15,828 | 16,021 |
Governance and Society | ||
Significant financial support from governments (lower tax rate, subsidies, credit, investment premiums) | € 1,518,625 | € 568,575 |
Accidents and health impacts on citizens in relation to assets/legal proceedings relating to health & safety of customers and/or third parties | 1 closed, 0 ongoing | 1 ongoing, 0 closed |
Monetary value of significant sanctions imposed on account of non-compliance with legislation and regulations regarding the delivery and use of products and services | € 25,000 | € 3,000 |
Current legal proceedings against the company brought by third parties where the charge includes corruption/fraud (number) | 0 | 0 |
Companies with which ties have been severed on account of corruption/fraud (number) | 0 | 0 |
Employees confronted with measures in relation to corruption/fraud (number) | 5 | 4 |
ISO 9001 Certificate | ||
ISO 14001 Certificate | ||
OHSAS 18001 Certificate | ||
Requirements for safety, quality, and capacity management system for electricity and gas network management | ||
VCA Certificate | ||
HSE Checklist | ||
CO2 performance ladder | ||
ISO 55001 Asset Management |