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EDP Installs 30 Solar Energy Posts In The Barra De São Miguel Community In Guarulhos (SP), Bringing Sustainable Lighting, Social Inclusion, And Safety To About 250 Families. The Action Is Part Of The Comunidade In Program, Which Unites Innovation And Social-Environmental Responsibility.
The energy transition is moving from being just a technical concept to becoming a tool for social transformation. In Guarulhos (SP), EDP took an important step in this direction by installing 30 solar energy posts in the Barra de São Miguel community. The initiative, carried out in partnership with the Litro de Luz project, with support from Gerando Falcões and Instituto Sonhar Alto, goes far beyond lighting up the streets: it promotes safety, self-esteem, and empowerment for hundreds of residents.
According to EDP, 21 new posts were installed in October, complementing another nine already active since June. The impact is direct: 250 families now have quality public lighting, which enhances nighttime circulation and stimulates local commerce. This change, though simple, has the potential to redefine community dynamics and create new economic opportunities.
Sustainable Posts: Clean Technology With Accessible Materials
One of the most interesting aspects of the project is the use of low-cost and easily accessible materials, such as PET bottles and PVC pipes. Each post is equipped with solar panels, batteries, and LED lamps, resulting in a self-sustaining and environmentally friendly system.
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The proposal combines technological innovation with environmental awareness. The equipment, in addition to reducing maintenance costs, decreases reliance on the traditional electrical grid and represents EDP’s commitment to renewable energy and combating energy inequalities.
Social Empowerment: Residents Actively Participate In The Installation
More than just receiving a new structure, the community was an essential part of the process. Under the guidance of the Litro de Luz team, a group of community leaders was trained to assist in the assembly and installation of the solar posts.
This participatory approach reflects the concept of “social co-creation” adopted by EDP — a model that values the direct involvement of residents. Thus, the project not only delivers a ready-made solution but also strengthens the sense of belonging and collective responsibility.
The director of ESG at EDP in South America, Dominic Schmal, highlighted the importance of this methodology:
“Comunidade In is a prime example of how we contribute to local sustainable development, joining efforts and providing results that are a true legacy for communities, as their benefits remain. By engaging residents in the actions, we are including communities in a real process of transformation.”
Comunidade In Program: Energy As A Tool For Social Development
The project is part of Comunidade In, one of EDP’s main socio-environmental initiatives in Brazil. The program operates in vulnerable communities in São Paulo and Espírito Santo, seeking to promote sustainable development and social inclusion.
Before each implementation, the company conducts a detailed socio-economic diagnosis of the area, considering infrastructure, income, access to services, and housing conditions. Based on this data, customized solutions are created, which may include actions in education, leisure, energy efficiency, income generation, and responsible energy use.
In Barra de São Miguel, the solar lighting action was complemented by the Brincando com Pipas project, developed with Evoluir. The proposal uses educational and playful activities to raise awareness among children and families about the risks of flying kites near the power lines, promoting safety and conscious energy consumption.
ESG In Action: The Energy Transition With Real Social Impact
The initiative reinforces EDP’s commitment to making the energy transition an inclusive and socially just process. For the company, it is not enough to invest in clean energy — it is essential to ensure that communities also benefit from this advancement.
With ambitious carbon neutrality goals by 2040, the company has been expanding its socio-environmental responsibility and social innovation programs, always seeking to integrate technology, sustainability, and human development.
The project in Guarulhos shows that solar energy and oil are at opposite ends of the same debate: while oil still drives global economies, sustainable initiatives like EDP’s represent the future of the energy matrix — a future that bets on renewable, low-cost solutions with a high social impact.
The arrival of the solar posts brought not only light but also security and community. The illuminated streets allowed for greater nighttime circulation, encouraged small businesses, and increased the sense of community.
This model, based on partnerships between companies, NGOs, and corporate volunteering, has proven effective and scalable. EDP plans to expand similar actions to other regions, reaffirming its vision that clean energy can — and should — be a vector for lasting social transformation.
With each post lit in Barra de São Miguel, a powerful symbol emerges that sustainable energy is also a tool for inclusion, citizenship, and dignity — fundamental elements for the future of Brazilian cities.
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