Enel says digital drive has given it hedge on coronavirus threat

(EurActiv, 20 Mar 2020) Italy’s biggest utility, Enel, does not expect the coronavirus epidemic to have any major impact on its results and says its drive to digitalise operations has given it an advantage.

Enel has been ramping up spending on digital networks to offer clients services like remote home appliance controls and car charging points since 2015. Last year it became the first big European utility to move all its data to the cloud.

“Being an early mover is key. Digitalisation offers us a hedge against sudden crises like coronavirus for business continuity,” Enel’s chief executive, Francesco Starace, said in a conference call.

Enel, which controls Spanish utility Endesa and is one of the biggest green energy and grid operators in Latin America, is now in a position to remotely manage all its generation assets and all its renewable fleet.

Italy is currently tackling the worst coronavirus outbreak in Europe and there has been concern about the risks for key energy facilities should the crisis persist.

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EurActiv, 20 Mar 2020: Enel says digital drive has given it hedge on coronavirus threat