Exide Technologies (www.exide.com), global supplier of solutions of energy storage, has announced the launching of a new solar installation to supply energy to its factory in San Esteban de Gormaz, Soria. This self-consumption project is the result of a cooperation agreement with EDP for the coming 15 years, aligned with the already signed between both companies in Portugal at the beginning of the year.

This installation will enable that a great part of the consumption of the factory comes from renewable sources, which entails an important reduction of the CO2 emissions.

The photovoltaic plant for self-consumption will count with around 4 000 solar panels. It is a “turnkey” project, developed and executed by EDP, that will supply and install the elements and equipment of the plant, and will process the necessary documentation. Exide will also count with a system to monitor the energy generated and the use of the plant in real time. EDP will operate the plant during the 15 years of the agreement. Afterwards, it will be Exide’s propriety.

The installation, that will have a power of 1.3 MWp, will allow Exide to cover a significant part of its solar energy consumption. This implies an important reduction of CO2 emissions, and the improvement of the environmental footprint of the company. The project is a clear sign of the solar energy growth as a real and sustainable solution for the companies.

The contract was signed in the Spanish subsidiary of Exide, in Azuqueca de Henares, Guadalajara, by Stefan Stübing, president EMEA of Exide, and Javier Sáenz de Jubera, Director General Manager of EDP Spain. This cooperation reinforces the relationship between both companies, that share a similar agreement in Portugal with EDP’s biggest solar energy project in that country.

To EDP, this agreement “represents the self-consumption possibilities, one of the biggest challenges faced by the energy sector, as a present and future solutions for companies, that offers numerous advantages: it increases competitivity, reduces the bills, and optimizes the energy efficiency, at the same time that it reinforces the commitment with sustainability”, has ensured Sáenz de Jubera.

“We are thrilled to join EDP once again in an agreement related to renewable energies”, has pointed Stefan Stübing. “Electro-intensive industries will depend in sustainable sources more every time, and the agreement with EDP regarding this photovoltaic plant, shows large-scale what is possible. It will not only reduce our carbon emissions, highlighting our commitment with sustainability, but it will also improve our operational efficiency and performance.”