EDP debates universal access to sustainable energy at the SEforALL Forum | EDP Portugal

EDP supports and participates in the Sustainable Energy for All Forum (SEforALL), which will be the stage for the sharing of ideas and the debate on universal access to sustainable energy, on May 2-3, at the Beato Convent in Lisbon. Organized for the first time in Portugal, the event will be attended by politicians, experts and world leaders, with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 as the guiding principle.

Given EDP’s history and activity, it was a natural step for the company to become involved in SEforALL, a non-profit organization supported by the United Nations that works with government leaders, the private sector and civil society to promote the swiftest actions to achieve SDG 7 and the Paris Climate Agreement, which calls for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to limit climate warming to less than 2 degrees Celsius.

In addition to integrating High Level Impact Opportunity, created by the United Nations to study and implement clean energy mini-grids, EDP Executive President António Mexia was appointed (2)  President of the Board of Directors of SEforALLin April 2017. For this reason, this Forum is being organized for the first time in Portugal, and EDP has been involved in its organization and promotion from the outset as the sole "Presenting Sponsor".

For at least a decade, EDP's growth has been mainly focused on the expansion of renewable energies, with the Group set to reach 2020 with about 76% of renewable installed capacity. On the other hand, the Group has committed itself to reducing its specific CO2 emissions by 75% by 2030 compared to 2005 levels. 

At the same time, EDP is developing a set of solutions that enable customers to reduce their invoices, increase efficiency and, at the same time, reduce emissions. This is the case with projects such as Save to Compete, aimed at companies, home consumption management systems such as edp re:dy or the commitment to electric mobility. This global strategy has entailed a significant investment in innovation estimated at € 200 million by 2020.

EDP ??recognizes the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and its strategy is aligned in particular with SDG 7 - universal access to sustainable energy by 2030. A goal that can be achieved by electrifying consumption, building a path to decarbonization and acting as a key lever in sustainable economic development. Because EDP is a leading electric utility with its global vision of the sector, it is committed to promoting Access to Energy in developing countries.

Access to Energy (A2E) reflects the Group's ongoing commitment to local communities wherever it operates, combining social responsibility and economic sustainability in its projects, and also fostering new opportunities for internationalization in countries where a significant segment of the rural populations does not have access to electricity.

The SEforAll Forum that will now take place will be the epicentre of a rich and constructive dialogue on universal access to energy, launching the debate on the paths outlined here and the great challenges for the future.

The event will be attended by João Pedro Matos Fernandes, Minister of the Environment, Teresa Ribeiro, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Rachel Kyte, CEO and UN Representative for Universal Access to Sustainable Energy, António Mexia, EDP CEO, Hajia Alima, Minister of Rural Development of Ghana, Isaac Kiva, Secretary for Renewable Energies of the Kenyan Ministry of Energy, Bjarni Bjarnason, CEO of Weykjavik Energy, or Per Heggenes, CEO of the IKEA Foundation.

The Forum programme and list of speakers can be found via this link.