The project was carried out in two phases and represents a total investment of 28 million escudos. The work included the installation of solar panels, lighting, shaded areas in the parking lot, new trash containers, and the renovation and painting of existing murals.
The first phase involved the installation of the Sports Gymnasium’s Photovoltaic Park. According to BAICV, the bank provided financing to ARES (Atlantic Renewable Energy) in the amount of approximately 15 million escudos for the installation of 400 solar panels, with an initial installed capacity of 220 kWp.
According to estimates provided by the bank, this system will result in annual energy savings of about 1.4 million escudos.
The second phase was carried out as part of BAICV’s Photovoltaic System Expansion Project and involved an additional investment of 13 million escudos. Another 80 solar panels were installed, corresponding to an initial capacity of 47 kWp.
According to the bank, this component is expected to generate estimated annual savings of 2.067 million escudos in energy costs.
In addition to the energy component, the project sought to improve the use of space. The panels installed in the parking lot also serve as shade structures, while the waste disposal area was renovated and equipped with new containers.
The work also included the restoration and painting of murals depicting the various sports played at the Vavá Duarte Sports Pavilion. The paintings were created by artist Tutu Sousa, using paint donated by SITA.
The City of Praia participated in the project as an institutional partner, facilitating BAICV’s work on the site and creating the conditions for its renovation.
ARES, meanwhile, was involved in the development and implementation of the project’s structural component, including identifying and securing solutions and suppliers for the installation of the photovoltaic system.
For BAICV, the initiative is part of its strategy for social, environmental, and governance responsibility and sustainability, seeking to combine energy efficiency with the improvement of public spaces.
The bank believes that the project also demonstrates the impact that can result from collaboration between public institutions, companies, and cultural actors, through the mobilization of resources to create more functional and sustainable spaces.
With the completion of both phases, the project now features an initial photovoltaic capacity of 267 kWp and a total of 480 solar panels, with energy savings estimated by the bank to exceed, combined, 3.4 million escudos per year.
