Celebrated today (05/29), the energy world day highlights exactly the importance of the consicous and sustainable energy use. Controlled by the Spanish group Iberdrola, Neoenergia, one of the leaders in this segment in Brazil, invests in a clean and reliable business model, encouraged by the Energy Efficiency Program, regulated by the National Electric Energy Agency ( Aneel). With this, it contributes to the rational use of the energy resources by its more than 14 million customers. In 2019 alone, the company invested R$ 50.5 million in energy efficiency programs. The result was a 58 GWh/year decrease in the energy consumption, equivalent to 4,350 ton of greenhouse gases (GHG) not reeased into the atmosphere.
Among the actions that enable this achievement is the replacement of almost 800 thousand incandescent and fluorescent lamps by LED in communities and public or philanthropic entities in Bahia, Pernambuco, Rio Grande do Norte, São Paulo and Mato Grosso do Sul. Over 220 communities were benefited in 2019 in the five states, in addition of almost 900 entities served. Besides that, around 162 public and philanthropic buildings received, in addition to the change in the lighting system, air-conditioning, installation of photovoltaic systems and further initiatives aiming at increased efficiency.
Vale Luz is other project held by the company, which offers the exchange of waste by discounts in the energy bill. Last year, 14 thousand families were served through the collection of 990 ton of waste. The company also has educational programs, such as the Education with Energy, offering classes on energy and promoting festivals in schools in Bahia, Pernambuco and Rio Grande do Norte. In 2019, the initiative was held in 1,102 schools, impacting 111,482 students and 5,974 teachers.
INITIATIVES DURING THE PANDEMIC
Energy efficiency action also are part of the actions carried out by the company to combat the pandemic. For example, in hospitals and health centers handling Covid-19 cases in Bahia and Pernambuco, Neoenergia installed equipment for air-conditioning and refrigeration, as well as efficient LED lamps in these places.
In Bahia, 95 air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment was donated, in addition to the delivery of 50 refrigerators for medication storage in hospitals and supporting entities in Salvador and 23 cities in the state. The forecast of energy saving is up to 30%. In Pernambuco, 27 air-conditioning equipment were installed, in addition to 5,000 LED lamps and 50 more efficient refrigerators for medicine storage.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
All actions are in line with Neoenergia's commitment to generate sustainable development. In this sense, the company adheres to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) proposed by U.N., with a particular focus on SDG 7, that ensures the access to energy in reliable, sustainable and affordable manner for all, and SDG 13, focused in actions for combating climate change and its impacts.
The Iberdrola group, of which the company is part, has the goal of a 50% decrease in CO2 emission by 2030, and achieving the status of carbon-neutral by 2050. Thus, the group follows the guidelines set the the Paris Agreement as required to decarbonize the planet. The result of all initiative is a more healthy planet and a society that will be able to supply its needs while preserving resources for the future generations.