How organizers of the 2026 Winter Games made clean energy a priority
#Milan Cortina 2026#Clean Energy#Winter Olympics#Renewable Electricity#Guarantee of Origin#Enel#Carbon Footprint#Sustainability Initiatives
📌 Key Takeaways
Milan Cortina Games organizers committed to 100% clean electricity for the 2026 Winter Olympics
Enel is using 'guarantee of origin' certificates to ensure renewable energy supply
Transportation emissions remain the largest challenge to the Games' sustainability
Infrastructure upgrades will benefit host communities long after the Games conclude
📖 Full Retelling
In February 2026, organizers of the Milan Cortina Winter Games in Italy, with support from Italy's largest electricity company Enel, pledged that virtually all electricity needed to power the events would come from clean sources, addressing energy use as one of the main drivers of planet-warming emissions at major sporting events. The organizing committee highlighted in their sustainability report that energy use represents where they can make the most meaningful environmental impact, with Enel guaranteeing the supply of entirely certified renewable electricity for all event venues. To achieve their 100% renewable energy goal, Enel purchased 'guarantee of origin' certificates on the market from renewable energy plants to cover the entire 85 gigawatt-hours of power required for both the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. These European certificates, created in 2001, correspond to 1 megawatt hour of electricity produced from certified renewable sources and are traded on the power market. Once used, they are canceled to prevent double-counting, supporting the development of renewable energy sources while helping companies meet their green energy targets. While the clean energy initiative represents significant progress, challenges remain, particularly concerning transportation emissions which account for the largest share of the Games' carbon footprint. Organizers noted that the estimated greenhouse gas emissions are equivalent to 4 million average-sized gasoline-fueled cars driving from Paris to Rome. Despite this, the Games' infrastructure upgrades, including new primary substations in Livigno and Arabba and improved distribution networks in several Alpine towns, will benefit local communities long after the events conclude.
Enel S.p.A. is an Italian multinational manufacturer and distributor of electricity and gas. Enel was first established as a public body at the end of 1962, and then transformed into a limited company in 1992. In 1999, following the liberalisation of the electricity market in Italy, Enel was privati...
The Winter Olympic Games (French: Jeux olympiques d'hiver), also known as the Olympic Winter Games or simply the Winter Olympics, is a major international multi-sport event held once every four years for sports practiced on snow and ice. The first Winter Olympic Games, the 1924 Winter Olympics, were...
The 2026 Winter Games have pledged to power all venues with 100% renewable electricity, using Enel's guarantee of origin certificates and hydrotreated vegetable oil for backup. This demonstrates that large sporting events can dramatically cut carbon emissions and showcases the feasibility of clean energy at scale, potentially influencing future host cities and global sustainability standards.
Context & Background
Enel secured 85 GWh of renewable power via guarantee of origin certificates for all Games venues
The Italian grid remains largely fossil-fuel dependent, but the Games' infrastructure upgrades will benefit local communities post-Games
Transportation emissions remain the largest source of the Games' carbon footprint, highlighting the need for broader systemic changes beyond energy supply
What Happens Next
The success of the clean-energy model may prompt the International Olympic Committee to mandate similar commitments for future Games, and other major events may adopt guarantee of origin certificates. Additionally, the infrastructure improvements could spur further renewable projects in northern Italy, while research into reducing travel emissions continues.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a guarantee of origin certificate work?
It is a document that proves one megawatt hour of electricity was produced from a renewable source; the certificate is traded and then cancelled to avoid double counting.
Will the renewable energy infrastructure built for the Games stay in use after the Olympics?
Yes, Enel upgraded substations and distribution lines in Livigno, Bormio and Cortina that will serve local residents long after the Games.
What is the biggest challenge for making the Games fully green?
Transportation emissions from athletes and spectators, especially air travel, remain the largest part of the carbon footprint and are harder to control.
Original Source
By — Jennifer McDermott, Associated Press Jennifer McDermott, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter How organizers of the 2026 Winter Games made clean energy a priority Science Feb 21, 2026 11:36 AM EST CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy — It takes an immense amount of energy to power venues and make snow for the Winter Olympics and, for the 2026 Milan Cortina Games, organizers pledged that virtually all of the electricity would be clean. The organizing committee said that energy use is where they can make the most meaningful impact, since it has been one of the main drivers of planet-warming emissions at major events. And Italy's largest electricity company, Enel, guaranteed the supply of entirely certified renewable electricity for event venues. Here's a look at what that means: To guarantee 100% renewable energy, Enel bought certificates The organizing committee said in its sustainability report from September that its Games-time electrical energy would be 100% green, fed by certified renewable sources. In rare cases where temporary power generation is required, hydrotreated vegetable oil would be substituted for traditional diesel fuels, it said. "This is also an opportunity to contribute to a broader shift — showing athletes, spectators and future host cities that cleaner energy solutions are increasingly viable for events of this scale," the committee said Friday in a statement to The Associated Press. "We hope the steps taken for these Games can support ongoing progress across major events." READ MORE: Olympians and scientists explain how machine-made snow makes ski racing faster and riskier Enel said it is supplying 85 gigawatt-hours of power for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. It bought "guarantee of origin" certificates on the market from renewable energy plants to cover the entire Games' energy demand. GO certificates are a European mechanism created in 2001. ...
