EDP invests over R$120 million in 2014-2015 to improve distribution grid in São Paulo and Espírito Santo
Focused on improving its infrastructure, EDP inaugurates five substations and expands more than 30 units
In order to provide high-quality services and improve the safety of the electricity system, EDP concession areas have made several investments in recent years. From the beginning of 2014 to the end of 2015, a total of R$121.8 million was spent on expanding, upgrading and maintaining the grid.
The most significant investments were in substations, the facilities that distribute energy to the population. Five new substations were built, three in the state of São Paulo (São José dos Campos, Itaquaquecetuba, and Caraguatatuba) and two in Espírito Santo (Mantenópolis and Vila Velha). The concession areas also expanded 32 substations and implemented over 35 km of transmission lines, which are responsible for carrying electricity from the generators to the distributors.
With these interventions, 401 MVA were incorporated into EDP Bandeirante system and 243 MVA into that of EDP Escelsa. "Infrastructure investments are of great relevance to the electricity system, ensuring a reliable, high-quality service. We have been making an ongoing effort to achieve this, and we will continue to work to further improve our operating efficiency indicators," says Michel Itkes, EDP Vice Chief Executive Officer for Distribution.
Fleet renewal and tool procurement
In addition to the R$121.8 million invested in the distribution grid over the past few years, in 2015 EDP also renewed its operating fleet and purchased new tools. The investment in the fleet amounted to R$18.2 million, R$9.5 million of which by EDP Bandeirante for the purchase of 55 vehicles and R$8.7 million by EDP Escelsa for the acquisition of 63 vehicles.
The company also invested R$4.3 million in new equipment. These state-of-the-art tools are crucial for substation maintenance operations. Acquisitions include specialized technical equipment used by companies in the sector, but also more ordinary tools such as GoPro cameras and tablets, which will allow technicians to inspect power transformers without disconnecting the equipment - a method that will allow for greater continuity in energy supply.
