EDP, a company that operates across the whole electricity sector, has developed an energy efficiency project for Grupo Avenida, one of Brazil’s biggest fashion retailers. EDP invested R$ 4.5 million to replace 65 thousand light bulbs for LED technology in 109 stores across 11 states - Acre, Bahia, Espirito Santo, Goiás, Maranhão, Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso do Sul, Mato Grosso, Pará, Rondônia and Tocantins.

This project will help Grupo Avenida save 3,819 MWh per year, equivalent to the electricity used by 3,167 households with an average consumption of 1,200 kWh/year. This will also avoid 1,481.6 tons of CO₂ emissions over five years, equivalent to taking 110 cars off the streets or planting 1,837 trees. The retailer will also enjoy lower maintenance costs, as LED lamps last up to 50 thousand hours (three to four times longer than fluorescent lights). The LED technology also has less of an environmental impact because it does not use mercury or other toxic components. Altogether, the company will save approximately R$ 10 million over five years.

EDP will earn a projected R$ 8.2 million from the contract. “The Grupo Avenida project is another example of how companies can use our energy efficiency solutions to cut costs and increase their contribution to the environment. The initiative will reduce energy consumption by 57%, helping our customer save around R$ 2.4 million per year”, said Aldemir Spohr, Director of EDP Energy Solutions.

Success Cases

EDP Brazil has committed to providing energy efficiency products and services to reduce customers’ energy consumption. So far, around 136 GWh has been saved, avoiding approximately 68,056 tons in CO₂ emissions.

At the commitment was made at the United Nations (UN) during the last Conference of the Parties on Climate Change (COP 21, Paris) and relies on energy efficiency and distributed generation services to increase EDP’s efforts alongside its partners.

Success cases include:

• MAKRO: an extensive energy efficiency project with improvements at 69 of the wholesale supermarket chain’ stores in 2017. The wholesaler invested R$ 60 million and reduced lighting energy consumption by up to 55%.


• COSTA DO SAUÍPE: The Costa do Sauípe hotel complex in Bahia developed a project in 2016 to modernize the air conditioning system at two hotels, using automation and retrofitting chillers and pumps. This redesign slashed energy consumption by 2,965 MWh, around 34% more than originally forecast.


• SHOPPING VITÓRIA: The retrofit/modernization of the Cold Water Central facilities in two wings of the Shopping Center, which is located in Espírito Santo, helped cut costs and increase system reliability. The system can now operate even during main equipment failures. Savings: 2,782 MWh per year.

Last year, EDP’s energy efficiency projects were highlighted by the UN. At the 73rd United Nations General Assembly (UN) in New York, the Company introduced its business division responsible for developing energy solution projects during the ‘Future of cities’ panel, part of ‘The role of the private sector in Brazil’ event. 

At these projects helped underline the Company’s commitment to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) - a global action plan to promote sustainable development by 2030.

About EDP

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 Transmission, Sales and Services. It also operates 6 hydro power plants and one thermal power station. Its Distribution area serves around 3.4 million customers in Sao 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.