Three headquarters of Cáritas Diocesana de Córdoba are already enjoying the advantages of self-consumption of energy. This is the result of the agreement between the church organisation and the energy company EDP and its Foundation to promote savings and sustainability at its headquarters in Spain, through the implementation of photovoltaic installations.

The three photovoltaic installations commissioned by EDP will generate annual savings equivalent to the average electricity consumption of 25 homes, which will prevent the emission of 40 tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere.

The three Cáritas Diocesana de Córdoba centres where EDP has installed the systems are located on Avenida Miguel de Unamuno (Casa de Acogida 'Madre del Redentor'), the Las Quemadas industrial estate (Employment Service) and the Acera del Río retirement home (Residencia Hogar 'San Pablo').

The largest installation is located in the 'Madre del Redentor' Shelter Home. It has an installed power of 21.6 kilowatts peak, which will generate the equivalent of the energy consumed annually by 11 homes. In addition, as it is 100% renewable energy, it will prevent the emission of 17 tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere each year, a positive impact on air quality similar to that of more than 1,000 new trees.

At the Acera del Río Residence, EDP has commissioned a 16.2 kilowatt peak photovoltaic installation, which will generate savings equivalent to the average annual consumption of 8 homes and avoid the emission of almost 13 tonnes of CO2.

The installation at the Las Quemadas centre, with 12.6 kilowatts peak, will generate savings equivalent to the consumption of 6 households, while in environmental terms it will prevent the emission of 10 tonnes of CO2 each year.

The agreement signed between the three entities extends to the whole of Spain, where Caritas has 1,700 centres with the potential and space to carry out this type of installation, with which it will reinforce its commitment to energy saving and sustainability.

All Caritas centres with this solar potential can benefit from this agreement, which is developed through energy service contracts. EDP makes 100% of the investment and is responsible for the commissioning, legalisation and maintenance of the installation, while each centre pays a monthly fee for the duration of the contract. Subsequently, each centre will continue to enjoy the savings and advantages of self-consumption during the useful life of the installation, estimated at 25 years.

The EDP Foundation promotes this collaboration as part of its Solidarity Energy programme, contributing 40,000 euros per year that will be used to cover part of the fees of the Caritas centres that opt for self-consumption.

If the 1,700 Caritas centres install the system, they will have an installed power of 29,000 kilowatt peaks, which translates into annual savings equivalent to the average electricity consumption of 12,000 households. In addition, the emission of 13,000 tonnes of CO2 per year is avoided, a positive environmental impact similar to that of almost one million new trees.

In addition, Cáritas will organise annual training courses on energy efficiency for the employees of its headquarters, which will be given by EDP employee volunteers.

Solidarity Energy

In addition to the agreement to implement these three facilities, Caritas and the EDP Foundation have signed an agreement to meet the energy efficiency needs of vulnerable families' homes and centres identified by the church organisation in Cordoba. This agreement is part of the EDP Foundation's Solidarity Energy programme, through which energy audits will be carried out to identify efficiency measures that can be implemented. The amount earmarked for this action is 25,000 euros.