Ilumina Pantanal was created taking into consideration the preservation of the environment - developing a technology that does not harm the biome; and the logistical issue - with the use of materials that have a lower volume and weight, making it possible to reduce transport and maintenance costs.

A pioneering initiative, the Ilumina Pantanal project, which creates environmental preservation and new technologies to bring electricity and social inclusion to riverside dwellers, indigenous people, workers and rural producers living in isolated areas of the biome, in Mato Grosso do Sul, was nominated for one of the world's largest solar generation innovation awards: the Solar & Storage Live Awards 2021. The awards ceremony will take place from November 23rd to 25th, in Birmingham, England.

For the CEO of Energisa Mato Grosso do Sul, Marcelo Vinhaes, this honor goes beyond the pride we feel in the state. “It's our Pantanal being an international highlight with Energisa taking this initiative to one of the largest meetings in renewable energy in the world. We will continue to invest continuously in innovation and sustainability. We are convinced that we have created a pioneering and robust solution that will significantly contribute to improving people's quality of life and to the sustainable development of what is considered a Natural Heritage of Humanity”, he declares.

The project
In addition to Energisa, the project's partners are the government of Mato Grosso do Sul, the National Electric Energy Agency (Aneel), Eletrobrás, and the Ministry of Mines and Energy.
Project manager Heber Selvo explains that the initiative to take electricity to one of the most remote regions of Mato Grosso do Sul was born after more than 5 years of research and R$ 10 million invested in studies.

The initiative was created, according to him, taking into consideration the preservation of the environment - developing a technology that would not harm the biome; and the logistical issue - with the use of materials that have a lower volume and weight, making it possible to reduce transport and maintenance costs.

The result was a solar power kit with four boards and components from around the world. The cost of each kit is approximately R$ 64,000 and 60% is funded by Programa Luz para todos, from Federal Government.

Altogether, Energisa and the federal government are investing R$134 million in the project.

By December, Energisa intends to benefit 1,335 families with the initiative, reaching the total goal of the program, 2,090 families spread over an area of92,000 square kilometers in Corumbá, Aquidauana, Coxim, Ladário, Porto Murtinho, Rio Verde de Mato Grosso, and Miranda, until April 2022.

With an individual energy generation and storage system, Ilumina Pantanal serves riverine families, producers, and rural workers in the Pantanal.

The project competes with two other initiatives in the category: International Solar and/or Storage Project of the Year; Projeto Internacional Solar e/ou Armazenamento do Ano.

The award is given by Solar Energy UK, a non-profit organization working on an agenda that represents the entire solar and energy storage value chain, led by members from over 230 companies and associates.