Description

The aim of this campaign is to finance three photovoltaic plants for self-consumption in a Social Solidarity Institution for Child Care in Alentejo, Portugal - Centro Infantil Coronel Sousa Tavares.

The institution was founded in May 1844 by Captain João de Sousa Tavares, born in Beja, as “Associação Bejense Protetora das Crianças”. In 1901, by governmental decision, land for the construction of the Association was ceded. The purpose of this Association was to create a daycare center to meet the needs of the local population. In 1913, the daycare center started operating with 21 children. Only in 1941 did the Association move to its new and current building, where it received and fed children, aged between two and five, during the day, as a semi-boarding school, and as a boarding school for orphans or children from modest backgrounds.

The three solar power plants will have a total power of 44,8 kWp installed which will produce 70,8 MWh of clean energy per year.

The installation and operation of the solar panels will be carried out by Pleno Energia, a Portuguese energy commercialization and energy services company which will also be the project’s promoter and owner of the solar panels, as well as the energy producer and trader.

A PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) has been signed between the promoter and the two institutions. A PPA is a long-term agreement (in this case, 12 years) with a fixed price, for the purchase and sale of clean energy established between a renewable energy producer (in this case Pleno Energia) and the entity that consumes electricity (in this case, the institution). The institution will therefore reduce its energy consumption from the national electricity grid and will start consuming energy from the panels to be installed.

The Impact

• Reduced dependence on carbon-based fuels, avoiding the emission of CO2: with an estimated production of 70,8 MWh, the photovoltaic system will avoid the emission of 14,4 tons of CO2, the equivalent to planting 653 trees.

• Cost reduction for the social solidarity institution: decentralised electric energy production, near the consumption location, reduces the distribution costs making the option for renewable energy more cost-effective than resorting to the national grid. This reduction in electricity costs will allow the institution to invest the savings in improving its child care services. In addition to this, the decreased dependence on the national grid reduces the institutions exposure to price fluctuations.

Impact Indicators

14,4 t

CO2 avoided per year

358

people impacted

70,8

MWh clean energy

Contribution to the Sustainable
Development Goals

Sustainable Development Goals

Financial viability

The project requires a total investment of € 60,500, the remainder being financed by Pleno Energia's own capital. During the first 12 years following the installation, the panels shall be owned by Pleno Energia, which will produce the energy and sell it at a discount. After this period, the power plants will be bought by the end-users, which will achieve significant energy savings in face of the current consumption and, consequently, reduce their electricity costs.

Download Key Investment Information Sheet

Guarantees

This project is guaranteed by the pledge of the equipment installed. The loan will be made to Pleno Energia, which assumes its risk.

The Promoter

About PLENOENERGIA, S.A.

Founded in 2017 and officially in 2019, PlenoEnergia has the mission to bring energy to everyone easily and uncomplicatedly. It has a multidisciplinary management team, in the areas of Banking, Commercial and Marketing, and renewable energies, with over 15 years of experience in the national and international markets.

PlenoEnrgia wants to be more than just an energy trader in the free market, offering representation services to large consumers and electrical supply to consumers in general. The company aims to be among the largest players in the market for renewable energy solutions for self-consumption and energy efficiency. With a long-term portfolio of assets in Portugal, Spain, France, Luxembourg, Brazil, and Cape Verde, the goal is to expand to 50 countries by 2030.

The company has more than 100 direct employees in its various operations. Later this year, PlenoEnergia plans to expand to Dubai and the United States of America, where it is already in the business development phase.

PlenoEnergia, has an engineering and operations team which guarantees in-house installation services, including a customized 360 service that can include: Heat pump installation on a performance basis, the installation of electric vehicle chargers on an operating basis (as OPC), the installation of lighting on a savings sharing basis, among other services.

The team

Eurico Sobral

CEO

Founder and CEO of PlenoEnergia for Europe, Africa and Latin America. Eurico has vast experience in commercial strategy. Graduated in electronics and telecommunications from Escola Profissional do Arsenal do Alfeite

Rodolfo Vacas

Business Manager

After a sports career and with a background in Management Informatics, Rodolfo has been part of the team for two years.

André Leite Velho

Project manager

With a degree in Renewable Energy Engineering and several years of experience in the area, he is the technical manager responsible for managing solar energy projects.

Tiago Machado

Marketing Administrator

Tiago Machado is a Marketing administrator.

Carlos Almeida

Shareholder and director

With a career in management, Carlos is now a shareholder and director of the company.

Business Model

Updates