The Challenge

As a global energy provider, EDP is committed to advancing a just energy transition while addressing critical social challenges.

One such challenge is energy poverty, which affects remote and disadvantaged communities by limiting access to reliable, affordable, and clean energy – undermining education, healthcare, and economic development.

EDP recognised this as both a social challenge and an opportunity to align with its ESG goals by advancing a just energy transition.

The Solution

In 2021, EDP launched the Solidarity Solar initiative as part of its broader Y.E.S. – You Empower Society programme to install self-consumption solar systems in low-income and rural communities across Portugal, Spain, Brazil, the U.S., and Greece in collaboration with grassroots organisations.

As part of Foundation EDP’s social innovation strategy, the Solidarity Solar initiative supports a just energy transition, strengthens community resilience, and promotes inclusive development—demonstrating how renewable energy can drive both environmental sustainability and meaningful social impact.

While the programme aligned strongly with EDP’s ESG goals, the company knows that it is essential to have a consistent and measurable approach to assess outcomes, optimise investments, and communicate impacts.

EDP has been using the B4SI framework since 2008 to evaluate its community investments.

The methodology enables EDP to map each initiative to defined categories and social outcomes, ensure data consistency across regions, and align its contributions with both corporate strategy and community priorities.

With B4SI, EDP is better equipped to report against SDG targets, strengthen internal decision-making, and demonstrate how its community investments support both societal impact and long-term business value.

The Impact

Solidarity Solar generates over 1.5 GWh of clean energy annually and reduces CO2 emissions by more than 220 tonnes. With over 1,700 solar panels installed in houses of unprivileged families or schools benefiting more than 6300 individuals and more than 17 organisations around the world.

In Portugal, early results indicate that beneficiary vulnerable families reduced their energy consumption from the grid by around 11% compared to the previous year.

In 2024, EDP invested €28.2 million globally in community initiatives. This investment reached approximately 1.5 million people directly, supporting a wide range of topics including arts and culture, social welfare, environmental protection, economic development, and education. Notably, 98% of this funding was classified as community investment, reflecting EDP’s strong commitment to long-term, strategic social impact.

Among the beneficiaries for whom impact was measured, 40% reported a transformational impact on their lives, and 55% experienced an improvement in their circumstances.

In alignment with global sustainability priorities, EDP also directed €12.8 million —representing 55% of its total voluntary contributions—towards projects that support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These efforts were particularly focused on SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

ALIGN SOCIAL INVESTMENT WITH CORE BUSINESS STRATEGY:

EDP applies its energy expertise to address energy poverty, turning social impact into a key driver of its just transition agenda.

MEASURE WHAT MATTERS:

The B4SI Framework provides consistency and credibility, allowing EDP to track and report its contribution to the SDGs in business-relevant terms.

USE DATA TO DRIVE BETTER DECISIONS:

Insights gathered through B4SI support resource allocation and prioritisation, underpinning decision-making via the analysis of the impacts generated for communities.