The contribution will be invested until 2028 in the expansion, modernization and reinforcement of the Pernambuco electrical system

Recife (PE), April 29, 2024

Neoenergia Pernambuco announced, this Monday (29), the largest investment plan in the company's history. By 2028, the distributor will invest R$ 5.1 billion in works to expand, modernize and reinforce the electrical system in all regions of the state. The investment is 31% higher than the previous five-year period. During 2024, R$ 928 million will be invested to contribute to socioeconomic development and promote the attraction of new projects. The purpose of the billion-dollar amount is to provide more energy to the people of Pernambuco and to the various sectors of the economy that make up the strength and diversity of local production: agribusiness, industry, commerce, services and

tourism.

The record investment was announced at a ceremony held at the Palácio do Campo das Princesas, headquarters of the executive branch of Pernambuco, with the presence of Governor Raquel Lyra; the CEO of Neoenergia, Eduardo Capelastegui; and the CEO of Neoenergia Pernambuco, Saulo Cabral. “We provide an essential service to society and the supply of quality energy is an indispensable input for the State to develop more and more.

By projecting record investments for the next five years, we renewed our commitment to continuously and reliably distribute energy to the people of Pernambuco, contributing even more to the state's social and economic development,” said Eduardo Capelastegui.

“The investments that Neoenergia announces today are in dialogue with the sustainable development and social justice guidelines that we defend so much, since they can bring energy, for example, to the electrification of wells and substations to our schools, which will be ready to receive air conditioners, computer networks and white lines from appliances, bringing more citizenship to our teachers and students. Since last year, Priscila (Priscila Krause, vice-governor) and I have been at the head of the government, seeking to make our State grow again and play a leading role in the Brazilian Northeast, but this is only possible if we have the appropriate infrastructure, and electricity is essential to allow our productive arrangements to develop and so that we can attract new businesses,” said Governor Raquel Lyra.

The investments reinforce Neoenergia Pernambuco's commitment to continuous improvement. In these five years, the distributor will build or expand 13 substations and more than 270 kilometers of high-voltage lines. In this sense, there will also be an increase of more than 10% of energy availability in the State to make more than 680 thousand connections, from the Coast to the Sertano. “Over the next few years, rather than expanding the reliable supply of energy in all regions of the State, we will pursue the purpose of contributing to the improvement of the quality of life of Pernambuco residents.

We remain aware that our service is directly related to the well-being of the population and drives social transformations,” said Saulo Cabral, CEO of Neoenergia Pernambuco.

The 13 substations are included in the Metropolitan Region, more specifically in the cities of Recife (2), Paulista, Jaboatão dos Guararapes, Cabo de Santo Agostinho, Ipojuca and Itapissuma. In Agreste and Zona da Mata, substations are planned in Sirinhaém, Ribeirão, Garanhuns and Cachoeirinha. In the Sertano, in Petrolina and

Arcoverde.

These projects will have an impact on increasing the availability of energy for more than 395 thousand customers in those cities and regions in which they operate, in addition to preparing the State's entire electrical circuit to receive large projects that boost the economy and contribute to the improvement of people's lives. These structural works are essential for the economic and social development of municipalities

.

Another important investment planned by Neoenergia Pernambuco for the constant improvement of supply in the coming years will be in smart grids. Around R$ 163 million will be invested in solutions that promote advances in the search for excellence in service for all more than four million customers. An example of this are the more than 1.1 thousand reclosers that must be installed in the distribution network by 2028. This equipment automatically restores the system in case of interruption, making the service faster and more assertive for all

the clients involved.

The volume of works will also promote the opening of jobs in the state. The distributor estimates that more than 2,000 jobs will be generated for the execution of the services, providing opportunities and boosting the economy.

Some of these contracts will take place through the School of Electricians, an initiative of Neoenergia Pernambuco that qualifies, free of charge, these professionals who are so important to the business, and which also encourages female participation in the segment that is still predominantly male. Since its inception in 2007, 264 women have been trained and are able to work with electricity in Pernambuco. Of those, 171 have already been hired and are working as electricians across

the state.