Transformative Partnership: Cemig and Mart Minas Forge Path to Sustainable Energy Self-Production in Brazil’s Wholesale Market

Cemig, in collaboration with Mart Minas, a leader in the Wholesale segment of Minas Gerais, has finalized negotiations for an energy self-production contract. This agreement, within the Free Energy Market, ensures the leasing of a portion of the solar park from the photovoltaic plant (UFV) Jusante, located in São Gonçalo do Abaeté-MG. Under this contract, the solar park will generate 20 megawatts of renewable energy, effectively supplying energy to 62 Mart Minas stores in Minas Gerais and 19 Dom Atacadista stores in Rio de Janeiro, both part of the group.

The signing of the agreement occurred on Wednesday, March 13th, with Cemig’s president, Reynaldo Passanezi Filho, the company’s vice-president of Marketing, Dimas Costa, and representatives from Mart Minas, at the supermarket chain’s headquarters in the western region of Belo Horizonte.

The construction of the solar park entails investments totaling R$377 million, with R$108 million allocated specifically for the two plants leased to Mart Minas and Dom Atacadista. Entirely developed by Cemig engineering, this project materialized through collaborative negotiations between the companies.

The self-production model, available in the Free Energy Market, enables companies to generate their own energy using renewable sources, promoting energy independence and reducing reliance on traditional sources. Through this agreement, Mart Minas and Dom Atacadista mark a significant milestone as the first supermarket customers to operate with self-produced electricity.

Matheus Neves, the administrative and financial director of Mart Minas, emphasized the company’s commitment to operational efficiency and sustainability, highlighting self-production as a means to contribute to decarbonization and resource optimization.

Dimas Costa, Cemig’s Vice President of Commercialization, underscored the advantages for Mart Minas in embracing self-production, citing cost reduction, predictable spending, and energy self-sufficiency as key benefits. He also emphasized the alignment of this partnership with Cemig’s strategies aimed at fostering sustainable development.

Furthermore, this agreement contributes to reducing CO2 emissions significantly, as the group shifts towards clean and renewable energy sources, thereby minimizing its environmental footprint.

Matheus Neves reiterated the positive impact of this investment on operational costs and customer experience, ensuring competitive prices and a more advantageous shopping environment. He emphasized the long-term nature of the contract, solidifying mutual trust and paving the way for a lasting partnership between Cemig and Mart Minas.