Project brings green energy to Externato Cooperativo da Benedita, promotes saving, sharing and brings the community closer to the energy transition
With investment from Master Vantagem, a new Renewable Energy Community has been created at the Externato Cooperativo da Benedita.
The project includes the installation of 312 solar panels, with a total power of 185.64 kWp, capable of generating around 240 MWh/year of clean energy. This production will prevent the emission of approximately 119 tons of CO₂ per year, making a concrete contribution to the energy transition and environmental sustainability.
With this infrastructure, 36% of the energy generated will be consumed directly by the Externato, allowing an average saving of more than 50% on its energy costs. The surplus - around 153.6 MWh per year - will be shared with the local community. Around 100 families within a radius of 4 km will be able to enjoy renewable energy at more affordable prices.
The project is even more important because it is an initiative with local roots. Like the Externato, Master Vantagem is a Benedita company. This connection reinforces the company's commitment to the area where it was born, investing directly in the sustainability and well-being of its own community.
Renewable Energy Communities are a decentralized model for producing and sharing energy, based on renewable sources and generated locally. Each community has an “anchor customer” - such as Externato - where the infrastructure is installed. Surplus energy is distributed to members of the community who are geographically close. This model represents a new way of consuming and sharing energy, promoting not only economic gains, but also greater local autonomy, active participation and a fairer, decentralized energy system.
The company, with more than a decade's experience in the Portuguese and Spanish energy markets, now has a portfolio of nine Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) - five already fully operational and four at an advanced stage of development - positioning itself at the forefront of a model that is changing the way families, companies and institutions access, produce and share clean energy.
“This type of solution is an important step towards creating sustainable infrastructure that other regions can replicate, accelerating the transition to a more environmentally friendly future.”, says Anabela Silva, Director of Master Vantagem.
Master Vantagem has already successfully replicated this model in various realities. Among the communities in operation are projects associated with Lusofrutas, the Cooperativa Agrícola dos Olivicultores de Fátima, the Associação de Regantes da Cela in Alcobaça, NPC Car in Alcanena and Santa Casa da Misericórdia in Porto de Mós - initiatives with different profiles that demonstrate the versatility and scalability of the solution.
Under development are projects that continue to expand the company's geographical presence: the Monsaraz Padel Club, in Reguengos de Monsaraz; the Santa Casa da Misericórdia in Manteigas; and Iberfashion Transitários e Logística Lda, in Lordelo, Guimarães. Four new projects, in four different regions, which confirm a deliberate strategy of national coverage.
This set of projects reinforces Master Vantagem's growth strategy in the energy communities sector, promoting more sustainable, efficient and shared energy solutions in different regions of the country.
In this context of expansion and growing impact on the market, Master Vantagem has established itself as a national benchmark in the field of energy management and efficiency. Distinguished as SME Leader for the 8th consecutive year and SME Excellence in 2024, it acts as a link between self-consumption companies, retailers and end customers, providing specialized consultancy and developing innovative solutions to reduce energy bills. With more than 10 years' experience in Portugal and Spain, it currently manages more than 10 supply points, with an annual volume of more than 740 GWh and more than 13,000 customers.