Winter Games prioritised clean energy for venues and snowmaking

Organizers pledged that Games-time electricity would come from certified renewable sources, and Enel said it would supply about 85 gigawatt-hours backed by guarantee-of-origin certificates.

Organizers of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games pledged that nearly all electricity used at venues and for snowmaking would come from certified renewable sources. Italy’s largest electricity company, Enel, committed to supplying 85 gigawatt-hours and purchased guarantee-of-origin certificates to cover the Games’ demand. The organizing committee described energy use as the area where the Games can make the most meaningful emissions impact. Officials also said temporary generators would, in rare cases, use hydrotreated vegetable oil instead of diesel. Key facts: - The organizing committee said its Games-time electrical energy would be 100% green, fed by certified renewable sources, in its sustainability report. - Enel said it is supplying 85 gigawatt-hours for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and bought guarantee-of-origin (GO) certificates to match that demand. - GO certificates are a European mechanism where each certificate represents 1 megawatt-hour of electricity from a certified renewable source; certificates are canceled once used. - Enel reported that nearly three-quarters of the electricity it produced in Italy in 2025 was carbon-free, with about half from hydropower and 17% from geothermal. - The organizing committee estimates the largest share of the Games’ carbon footprint comes from indirect activities such as accommodations and spectator travel, including air travel. Summary: The pledge and Enel’s supply are intended to reduce direct emissions from venues and to leave upgraded distribution infrastructure in host areas. Experts in the article noted that national grid reliance on fossil fuels and emissions from travel mean overall Games-related greenhouse gases remain substantial. Undetermined at this time.