EN 
PT_BR 
The Government of Rio Grande do Norte (RN) signed, this Monday (20), two cooperation terms with Neoenergia-Cosern to enable the installation of solar panels in all 620 schools that make up the state education network.
The first document, with an investment of R$ 819 thousand, provides for the installation of photovoltaic systems and the replacement of conventional lamps with LED lamps in the headquarters building of the State Secretariat for Education and Culture, in the Administrative Center, in Natal (RN).
The second, in turn, grants a period of up to 90 days for Neoenergia to carry out studies and verify the installation conditions of the systems in each of the schools. The budget for installing the technology is the result of amendments by Senator Jean-Paul Prates (PT), who allocated around R$ 1 million to the project.
To the Solar Channel, the Government of RN informed that the forecast is that solar systems will begin operating in state schools in the first quarter of 2022 and that it works with the expectation of guaranteeing savings of up to 75% in energy consumption.
The State also highlighted that all the money saved will be reinvested in the purchase of equipment and in carrying out works that guarantee better infrastructure for schools in the state network, which, together, serve more than 220 thousand students.
Solar plants
This month, the Government of RN also signed another partnership to encourage the generation of solar energy in the State. The initiative will build eight solar energy generation plants in the municipalities of Assu, Acari, Caicó, Alto Rodrigues, Governador Dix-Sept Rosado, Baraúnas, Jucurutu and Apodi.
The investment of R$ 110 million is the result of a partnership with the company Atua Energia and is expected to generate 320 direct jobs by the end of 2023. At the moment, the State is streamlining the procedures for granting environmental licenses and legal security. The project will also serve 500 customers who have monthly electricity consumption of around R$ 10 thousand.
