Low Carbon programme The thermal solar plant of CGD's Head-Office Building is the largest plant in the country applied to a service building, and the most visible measure to reduce CO2 emissions. The use of renewable energies is a key part in reducing the national energy dependence, and in reducing carbon emissions.
The thermal solar panels collect the sun's energy and turn it into heat, saving up to 70% of the energy required for building water heating.
The solar plant of CGD's Head-Office Building consists of 158 solar collectors installed on 1600 m2 of the building's rooftop at Av. João XXI, in Lisbon, enabling the production of energy used for heating and cooling (via a chiller absorption) water for the air conditioning systems, toilets and canteen kitchen.
Since its entry into operation in 2008, the solar plant of the Head-Office Building produced approximately 6,800,000 kWh of energy, which was distributed as follows:
Solar Plant at the CGD Head-Office Building Heating: 67% The plant has a detailed monitoring system combined with a management system for the building's technical installations, thus making it possible to optimise its operation and better meet diverse consumer needs throughout the year.
The installation of this plant was decisive for the award CGD received under the "EDP Energy and Environment Award - 2009", a competition to distinguish companies using the electric distribution network, which show that they have managed to optimise the efficient use of electricity, while respecting the values of environment.
