Cemig to spend USD 5.2m on hospital solar systems in Minas Gerais

Brazilian electric utility Cemig (BVMF:CMIG4) is investing BRL 20 million (USD 5.2m/EUR 4.8m) in a solar and energy efficiency project in Minas Gerais state, across 70 hospitals and health institutions.

Named Projeto Solar Hospital, the project envisages the installation of solar water heating systems in public hospitals and charities, thus reducing the electricity consumption at peak hours and decreasing electric bills up to 30%, said Cemig's Energy Efficiency manager Leonardo Rivetti.

On Friday, the company held the inauguration ceremony for two new systems in the municipality of Curvelo, worth a total investment of BRL 582,000.

The resources used for this programme are part of power sector regulator Aneel's Energy Efficiency Programme for Distribution Companies, or PEE. According to the law, the electricity distribution companies, such as Cemig, are required to apply annually an amount of at least 0.5% of their net operating revenue in programmes to combat the waste of electricity.

(BRL 1 = USD 0.264/EUR 0.245)

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