Cemig promotes energy efficiency initiatives in institutions for social reintegration of convicts

Minas Gerais has the largest network for assistance to convicts in the country

With the goal of promoting a sustainable use of energy and reducing the maintenance costs of the Protection and Assistance to Convicts Associations (APACs), Cemig, through its Intelligent Energy Program, is investing in energy efficiency solutions for 36 institutions in Minas Gerais and the headquarters of the Brazilian Fraternity of Assistance to Convicts (FBAC), in Itaúna, in the Midwest of Minas Gerais. The initiative consists of replacing light bulbs, electric showers, refrigerators and freezers with more modern and efficient ones.

For the benefited institutions, besides the gains with the appliances’ efficiency, there will be positive impacts when considering the durability of the lighting equipment and the reduction of maintenance costs. In total, the initiative foresees an investment of over R$ 1 million with the installation of 4,600 LED technology light bulbs, 542 electronic showers, which bring more options for water temperature regulation, 115 refrigerators and 39 horizontal freezers. All equipment is certified with the Procel Energy Saving Seal.

 APAC Nova Lima, in the Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte, already has the benefits of the new LED lighting system and, in the coming weeks, the units of Santa Luzia and Frutal will also receive the new lighting. The showers, refrigerators and freezers will be replaced in the second half of 2019.

According to FBAC’s executive director, Valdeci Ferreira, this partnership is of fundamental importance. “I see the initiative in a very positive way. Besides allowing us to consolidate the physical structures of the APACs, it will enable the correct application of our methodology”, he says.

By the end of this year, the units (female and male) of another 29 municipalities and the headquarters of FBAC, located in Itaúna, will be efficient: Alfenas, Araxá, Campo Belo, Canápolis, Caratinga, Conselheiro Lafaiete, Frutal, Inhapim, Itaúna, Ituiutaba, Januária, Lagoa da Prata, Nova Lima, Paracatu, Passos, Patos de Minas, Sponsorship, Pedra Azul, Perdões, Pirapora, Pouso Alegre, Rio Piracicaba, Salinas, Santa Bárbara, Santa Maria do Suaçuí, São João Del Rei, Sete Lagoas, Teófilo Otoni and Viçosa.

According to Cemig’s energy efficiency engineer Matheus Herzog, the estimated energy savings are 284 MWh/year and the reduction in demand at the peak can reach 108 kW. “The data is equivalent to the energy needed to meet the average annual consumption of 191 households. But when we assess the potential cost reduction, these benefits expand, mainly because they are non-profit entities”, says Herzog.

Modelo APAC e a gestão de recursos energéticos

APAC is a civil entity under private law, with its own legal identity, dedicated to the recovery and social reintegration of those sentenced to imprisonment. It also operates as an auxiliary entity of the Judiciary and Executive Powers, respectively, in the criminal execution and administration of the enforcement of custodial sentences.

The purpose of APAC is to promote the humanization of prisons, without losing sight of the punitive nature of the penalty. Its purpose is to prevent recidivism in crime and to offer alternatives for the condemned to recover. According to the FBAC, this professional and work routine takes place daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., which increases the demand for energy. “The modernization of the electrical equipment of these institutions acts precisely in order to make the management of the resources of the APACs and public power more sustainable and economical”, explains engineer Matheus Herzog.

It is worth noting that the APACs are characterized as non-profit civil entities under private law and are associated with the state government for the administration of prison units.

Beneficiary Institutions