EDP and Cáritas are beginning to take steps within their agreement to implement photovoltaic installations for self-consumption at the headquarters of the voluntary organization in Spain. The first three will be installed in centers of the ecclesiastical entity in Cordoba, which will result in annual savings equivalent to the consumption of 25 homes, while avoiding the emission of 40 tons of CO2 into the atmosphere.

The three Cáritas Diocesana centers in Córdoba that will soon have a solar installation are those located on Avenida Miguel de Unamuno (Casa de Acogida 'Madre del Redentor'), the Las Quemadas industrial estate (Employment Service) and the Acera del Río senior citizens' residence (Residencia Hogar 'San Pablo').

The signing of the agreement to implement these solar installations was attended by the director of Cáritas Córdoba, Salvador Ruiz Pino; the sales director of EDP Spain, Gustavo Álvarez Granda; and the head of the EDP Foundation, Jorgelina Expósito Blanco.

The largest installation will be at the Avenida Miguel de Unamuno headquarters. It will have an installed power of 21.6 peak kilowatts, which will generate for self-consumption the equivalent of the energy consumed annually by 11 homes. In addition, as it is 100% renewable energy, it will avoid the emission of 17 tons 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 will start up a 16.2 peak kilowatt photovoltaic installation, which will generate savings equivalent to the average annual consumption of 8 households and avoid the emission of almost 13 tons of CO2.

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

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

All Cáritas headquarters 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, legalization and maintenance of the installation, while each center pays a monthly fee for the duration of the contract. Subsequently, each site 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 program, contributing 40,000 euros a year to cover part of the fees of the Cáritas centers that opt for self-consumption.

If the 1,700 Cáritas centers 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 tons of CO2 per year will be avoided, a positive environmental impact similar to that of almost a million new trees.

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

This agreement reinforces the commitment of the three entities to the UN's 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while reflecting the potential of solar self-consumption to boost energy savings and sustainability.

This initiative is part of the ESG (Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance) lines of action set out in EDP's recently approved Strategic Plan for the period 2021-2025. This plan foresees investments of 24 billion euros. The investments will focus on three main lines of action: growth in renewable energies, flexibility and intelligence of the electricity distribution networks, and a commitment to designing and offering the most innovative solutions to its customers. This ambitious plan contributes to EDP's goal of being 100% green by 2030.