EDP, an electrical energy distributor from the Vale do Paraíba, has unveiled an energy efficiency project at Fazenda da Esperança, in Guaratinguetá, a rehab institution with over 30 years’ experience helping young people facing chemical dependency. The unveiling took place today (26) at the institution’s headquarters and was attended by EDP representatives, local officials and Fazenda managers.

At the project took around 13 months to complete and included modernizing the previous lighting system, replacing 5,117 energy-hungry internal and external light bulbs with LEDs (40 buildings). 400 conventional showers were also replaced with new models equipped with a more efficient and lower cost power output control system.

This project will reduce energy use by 370 megawatts-hour (MWh/year), equivalent to the energy over 150 families would use in a year. Maintenance costs will also fall, as LEDs have a lifespan of around 50 thousand hours (3 to 4 times longer than fluorescent lights) and have a lower impact on the environment, as they are not made using mercury or other toxic components.

“It is very rewarding to deliver this Fazenda da Esperança project. The updated equipment means the institution will be much more energy efficient. This means it can redirect any savings to improve its services”, said Luciano Cavalcante, executive manager at EDP.

At the project was selected during the Public Call for Projects, part of EDP’s Energy Efficiency Program, which is regulated by the National Electrical Energy Agency - ANEEL.

Fazenda da Esperança

In 1983, the Fazenda da Esperança began with a group of six young addicts under the guidance of local friar Hans Stapel, who set up a small community for those seeking help.

It is currently considered the largest rehab community in Latin America. Over 35 years, it has focused on rehabilitation for people facing chemical dependency and has 83 units across Brazil and in 18 other countries.

Around 350 people are treated at the main clinic in Guaratinguetá.  The Fazenda da Esperança also provides other services in the city, such as: Three kindergartens; one support facility for patients with terminal phase HIV; three treatment centers; a house providing temporary accommodation for children and adolescents; a community area where that children and adolescents can socialize (Girassol Project); and a project to support socially vulnerable families living below the poverty line. These facilities serve 764 people.

About EDP Brazil

EDP has over 20 years’ experience and is one of the biggest private-sector companies operating across the entire value chain. The Company has over 10,000 direct and indirect staff and is involved in energy Generation, Distribution, Transmission, Sales and Services. The company has six hydro power plants and one thermal power station that services around 3.4 million people in the states of São Paulo and Espírito Santo. The Company recently acquired a stake in CELESC, from Santa Catarina. In Brazil, the company is noted for its Innovation, Governance and Sustainability and has been included in the B3 Business Sustainability Index (BSI) for 13 consecutive years.