EDP, an electrical energy distributor from the Alto Tietê, Vale do Paraiba and the north coast of Sao Paulo regions, has officially inaugurated the Vila Paiva Energy Distribution Transformer Substation (EDT) in São José dos Campos. The substation, built at a cost of R$ 17.4 million, will expand regional energy capacity by 12% and benefit the entire city, improving electricity supplies and supporting regional economic development.

Today’s (30) inauguration event was attended by local officials and EDP representatives.

Located in the Altos da Vila Paiva neighborhood, the new station will make the local electricity system more reliable, directly benefitting the energy supply grid in northern São José dos Campos, the district of São Francisco Xavier and the city of Monteiro Lobato, where the company has around 78 thousand customers and there are approximately 270 thousand residents. This unit is joined by another seven EDTs in the city, expanding the regional operational availability.

At the Vila Paiva Substation was designed to increase power supply capacity and support economic growth across the region. “The energy distribution infrastructure is now ready for future investments arriving in the region and will increase reliability, in line with our strict technical and safety standards, and improve power supply quality”, said Marney Antunes, General Director at EDP.

At the Altos da Vila Paiva ETD (88/13,8 kV) has two 25/33 MVA transformers, distributed across four medium voltage feeders. The unit covers an area of 4,730 m² and is equipped with a high technology acoustic system suppressing sound leakage around the unit and a full LED lighting system to improve efficiency and underline the company’s focus on the community and the environment.

All of the Substation’s operations are remotely controlled from the Integrated Operation Center (COI) at EDP headquarters in Mogi das Cruzes. The unit is completely computerized and has an integrated monitoring, command, control and protection system. The station is also equipped with a modern video monitoring system to increase safety and allow COI operators to view operations and services involving high-voltage equipment remotely.

A 12 km network has also been built to connect the ETD to the Distributor’s local grid. The network includes cutting edge technology which will improve safety and mitigate the impact from external agents such as vegetation, one of the main issues affecting energy supply quality during strong wind and rain.

EDP currently serves around 5 million people in 28 cities across the state of São Paulo via 71 substations. The station construction, expansion and modernization are fundamental to meet an increasing demand as cities expand and ensure customer service excellence.

About EDP in 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.

At the company has six hydro power plants and one thermal power station that serve around 3.4 million people in the states of São Paulo and Espírito Santo. The Company recently acquired a majority 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.