Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are aromatic compounds – consisting of toxic chlorinated molecules that are persistent organic pollutants with bio-accumulative properties – found in transformers and other electrical equipment. To avoid forms of pollution or dispersion of these substances, Iren Group regularly and continuously updates the number of machines containing insulating oil and the quantity contained in them, in accordance with registration and cataloguing procedures. The environmental performance improvement programme of electricity distribution provides for the gradual decommissioning of electrical devices containing PCB/PCT contaminated oil. The goal is to keep the disposal trend steady until the elimination of all of the contaminated devices. In 2021, 15 electrical and electronic equipment containing oil contaminated with PCBs at concentrations between 50 and 500 ppm were sent for disposal, in the quantities indicated in the table.
| Oil containing PCB disposed of (kg)1 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
with PCB content of over 0.05% |
0 |
0 |
0 |
||
|
with PCB content between 0.005% and 0.05%/p> |
4,223 |
3,560 |
3,040 |
||
|
Total |
4,223 |
3,560 |
3,040 |
||
1 The total amount of oil containing PCB in transformers and other equipment as at 31/12/2021 is approximately 50,874 kg.