世界发展银行-Water-in-Circular-Economy-and-Resilience---The-Case-of-Aguas-de-Portugal_12页_1mb

Summary of the WICER Case Study: Águas de Portugal

Core Content

The Water in Circular Economy and Resilience (WICER) case study focuses on Águas de Portugal (AdP), a state-owned holding company that manages water supply and wastewater services across thirteen regional utilities in Portugal. The case highlights how AdP has implemented circular economy and resilience principles in its long-term strategic framework to address water sector challenges, particularly in a country that is heavily dependent on water resources from Spain and faces periodic water scarcity.

Main Viewpoints

• Portugal's Water Context: The country is a "downstream country" with 70% of its water resources coming from Spain. It experiences water scarcity, especially in the south, and has adopted integrated water resource management and environmental policies to improve efficiency and sustainability.

• AdP's Evolution: Since its establishment in 1993, AdP has significantly improved water and sanitation coverage, reaching 99% for safe drinking water and 86% for wastewater management. It has now shifted focus to long-term sustainability, innovation, and resilience.

• Strategic Framework: AdP developed a strategic framework centered on circularity and resource efficiency, with three strategic pillars: group culture, service excellence, and social utility. The framework includes twelve strategic challenges and corresponding actions to guide the organization toward its goals.

• AdP VALOR: A new subsidiary was created to drive the circular economy and resilience transformation. AdP VALOR will work with external stakeholders such as agriculture, industry, and tourism, and will focus on innovation, digital transformation, and the valorization of wastewater resources.

• Circular Economy Initiatives:

  • Sludge Management: A plan to reduce sludge production by 50% by 2023 and improve its quality for reuse. This will reduce annual sludge management costs by 45% and save EUR 7 million per year.
  • Water Reuse: A target of 15% water reuse by 2030, with an estimated 70 million cubic meters of treated wastewater to be reused annually. This includes partnerships with farmers and other end-users.
  • Energy Neutrality: The ZERO program aims for energy and carbon neutrality by 2030. It includes a 10% reduction in electricity consumption, an 80% increase in renewable energy generation, and investments in biogas, solar PV, hydropower, and wind energy.

• Resilience Measures: AdP has developed climate adaptation strategies, focusing on interoperability, redundancy, and risk management in infrastructure. It also emphasizes stakeholder engagement and communication across sectors to ensure integrated water management.

Key Information

• Water Reuse: Only 1.2% of treated wastewater is currently reused in Portugal, but the target is to increase this to 15% by 2030.
• Energy Efficiency: The ZERO program is expected to save EUR 47 million annually through avoided costs and has an estimated payback period of 8 years.
• Renewable Energy Targets: AdP aims to produce 707.9 GWh of electricity annually by 2030, with 100% of its energy needs to be met by renewable sources.
• CO₂ Emissions Reduction: The program is projected to reduce emissions by 205,000 tonnes annually by 2030.
• Investments: The total investment for the ZERO program and other initiatives is estimated at EUR 370 million, with additional funding from the EU and national budgets.
• Sludge Plan: The plan includes 22 wastewater treatment plants being adapted or built, and the valorization of biosolids for agricultural and industrial use.

Strategic Pillars

1. Group Culture (People and Organization): Focus on fostering a "challenger" culture and empowering employees through training and collaboration.
2. Service Excellence (Customers and the Municipality): Prioritizing customer satisfaction and municipal engagement through innovation and efficiency.
3. Social Utility (Environment and Society): Emphasizing environmental protection and the societal benefits of sustainable water practices.

Implementation and Challenges

• Two-Phase Approach:
  1. Planning Phase: Developing guidelines and action plans based on best practices.
  2. Adaptation Phase: Implementing the plans at the regional utility level.
• Partnerships: Crucial for successful implementation, especially with local stakeholders, academia, and the private sector.
• Human Resources: A major challenge was finding skilled professionals in circular economy and resilience. AdP addressed this through internal knowledge sharing, thematic working groups, and collaborations with professional associations and academic institutions.

Lessons Learned

• Focus on existing practices and build incrementally while involving all stakeholders.
• Human capital is vital for cultural and operational transformation.
• Partnerships across sectors enhance innovation and value creation.
• An enabling policy and regulatory environment supports the implementation of sustainable practices.
• The strategic framework must be adaptable and sensitive to the local context.
• Corporate social responsibility and a long-term vision are essential for driving change.

Conclusion

AdP's transition toward a circular and resilient water management model is a strategic and systemic effort, supported by national and European policies, financial instruments, and a strong internal culture of innovation and collaboration. The case highlights the importance of integrating sustainability, efficiency, and resilience into the core of water utility operations to meet future challenges and contribute to a more sustainable and competitive water sector.