In partnership with EDP we opened three solar plants in São Paulo and Minas Gerais
Together with EDP, a company present in all the segments of the electricity sector, we have just opened three solar plants – one in Cotia (SP) and two in Rio Paranaíba (MG). With an investment of BRL 28,3 million by EDP, the initiatives have an annual capacity for generating 11,726 MWh/year and will serve exclusively the power demand of 28 restaurants and seven dessert kiosks through a 12-year contract. Moreover, the volume of energy generated by the solar plants will be totally certified by I-REC (International REC Standard), global system through which organizations can prove that the power they consume comes from renewable sources.
The plants occupy an area of 18.5 hectares and will prevent emission of 725 tons of CO2 annually – the equivalent to the plantation of 4,495 trees. Moreover, the 16,240 photovoltaic panels have tracking technology. This means that the modules move according to the changes in the angle of the solar rays to have a better use of the irradiation.
The use of solar plants is part of a group of initiatives to supply our restaurants from renewable sources, reinforcing our constant commitment to sustainability and the environment.
“In Arcos Dorados, we are committed to be an active part of the solution to the challenges of our society, always through the implementation of innovative initiatives. Besides being the right thing to do, it can also be a good business. In addition, associating with EDP, one of the largest companies of the power sector, operating in all the chain of value, can only reinforce this premise. We looked for the best partner for this mission. We believe that one of the main advantages of solar energy for the environment is that it uses organic raw material from nature, in other words, it looks for electricity through the sunlight, besides of course, with less emission of greenhouse gases”.
Gabriel Serber, Vice-Presidente de Impacto Social e Desenvolvimento Sustentável da Arcos Dorados
This power efficiency initiatives also contribuits to reach our defined targets of reducing by 36% the emissions of greenhouse gases from our direct operation, and the 31% of the emissions of all our chain, by 2030. Those goals are directly related to our first Sustainability Linked Bond issued in April of 2022, which transform us in the first company in the sector to join a financial instrument to environmental targets.
“The choice for EDP to develop the solar plants that will supply the McDonald’s restaurants highlights the credibility the Company has conquered in relation to offering solutions that, besides contributing to the control of Climate Change, offer more efficiency and savings to our clients”.
João Marques da Cruz, CEO with EDP in Brasil
