Vivo announced this Tuesday (21) that it will start producing its own energy through DG (distributed generation). According to the company, the largest source of energy will be solar photovoltaics (61%), followed by hydro sources (30%) and biogas (9%). The initiative covers all regions of Brazil, with plants operating in 23 states, in addition to the Federal District.
The project will for more than 80% of Vivo's low voltage consumption, serving approximately 28 thousand company units, such as stores, towers, antennas, telecommunications equipment and offices.
David Melcon, vice-president of Finance at Vivo, states that, in addition to contributing to the environment by being renewable and low-impact, the measure should generate important annual savings for Vivo in energy costs. “Distributed generation seeks to further consolidate Vivo’s sustainable business model based on environmental, social and governance factors and which increases our potential for long-term value generation. Additionally, this initiative reaffirms our commitment to maintaining 100% renewable energy consumption, in addition to boosting our efficiency, generating relevant cost reductions”, highlights Melcon.
Caio Guimarães, director of Heritage at Vivo, also highlights the impact on the environment. “Obtaining energy through DG, in small plants, close to consumer points, also contributes to minimizing losses in the distribution system, in addition to reducing CO2 emissions and avoiding impacts of large projects on the environment and communities” , highlights the executive.
Expansion of renewable energy in Brazil
The model began in 2018 in the state of Minas Gerais, supplying the company's more than 3 stations. The project, carried out in partnership with Hy Brazil, includes a set of hydropower plants with a capacity of 22,4 MW.
In this second phase, the model is being officially expanded throughout the country. Two plants are already in operation: a hydroelectric plant in the municipality of Aripuanã (MT), and a photovoltaic plant in the city of Campinas (SP).
In Aripuanã, the plant, in partnership with the company Centrais Elétricas Salto dos Dardanelos, began operating in March this year, with a capacity of 3,5 MW. The solar plant in Campinas, installed in an area of 80 thousand m² in partnership with TMW Energy, started operating last month, with a capacity of 4,77 MW.
Photovoltaic solar source
The solar source will be one of the main renewable resources used throughout Vivo's distributed generation project. At the end of the installation process, the total area of solar plants spread across the country will be the equivalent of 350 official football fields.
The expansion schedule continues in the coming months. The investments are made by the contracted companies, with the counterpart of a long-term partnership with Vivo, lasting up to 20 years. With all plants operating, Vivo will produce around 670 thousand MWh/year of energy, enough to supply the entire consumption of a city of up to 300 thousand inhabitants.
