Correos continues to take firm steps in its sustainability strategy with the installation of new self-consumption photovoltaic panels in its main logistics centers in SpainWith the expansion of the Correos Solar project, the postal company aims to cover a significant portion of its electricity demand with energy generated directly in its buildings.
This deployment of solar plants in Automated Treatment Centers (CTA) and other strategic properties is part of the company's emissions reduction and energy cost control plan. The goal is to incorporate as many rooftops as possible into self-consumption systems, taking advantage of large surfaces and, at the same time, reducing dependence on the conventional electricity grid.
Correos Solar: new self-consumption plants in key logistics centers
The company has decided to strengthen its solar commitment with the addition of five new self-consumption photovoltaic installations in some of its most important CTAs. Throughout this year, the plants located in two logistics centers will come into service in Barcelona -Sant Cugat del Vallès, with a capacity of 450 kWp, and Barcelona Colón, with 93,74 kWp-, in addition to those located in Alicante (400 kWp), Valencia (455 kWp) and Seville (528 kWp).
Taken together, these facilities will allow, on average, Around 22% of the electricity consumed in these centers comes from renewable sources generated on-siteThis means that almost a quarter of the daily energy demand of these logistics platforms will be covered directly by the production of its solar panelsreducing the carbon footprint and exposure to energy price volatility.
The expansion of Correos Solar adds to the milestone achieved in 2022, when the company launched its First large self-consumption photovoltaic plant in the Vallecas CTA (Madrid)In this center, one of the most important in the logistics network, 960 modules with a power of 540 kWp were installed, achieving a installed capacity of 518 kWp dedicated to self-consumption.
Thanks to that infrastructure, the Vallecas center is producing an annual average close to 719.123 kWh of renewable electricity for self-consumptionThis generation represents approximately the 22,14% of the total energy consumed by the CTA, the approximate equivalent to annual consumption of approximately 280 households with an average usage of 3.000 kWh/year.
The public company emphasizes that these facilities are designed to operate in self-consumption regime without grid injectionIn other words, the energy produced is primarily used to meet the internal demand of each center. To achieve this, it is essential to have large roof areas, since, in the case of Correos, the solar fields They can occupy between 20.000 and 25.000 square meters per building.
Expansion to new centers: Canary Islands, Malaga, Palma and Vitoria
Following the positive results achieved in Madrid Vallecas and the boost given to the CTAs in Barcelona, ​​Alicante, Valencia, and Seville, Correos has begun a new phase of deployment that includes the incorporation of six additional photovoltaic plants before the end of the year.
According to the company's plans, they are already in contracting phase self-consumption facilities in the centers of Las Palmas (190 kWp) and Santa Cruz de Tenerife (120 kWp), in addition to the planned plant for the Madrid-Rampa 7 International Exchange Officewith a capacity of 690 kWp. This latter will become one of the most powerful solar infrastructures on the grid, focused on serving a key location in the international exchange of shipments.
The installation of photovoltaic panels is also planned for the centers of Malaga (110 kWp), Palma de Mallorca (280 kWp) and Vitoria (420 kWp). Together, these six new plants will allow approximately 29% of the energy consumed in these buildings will be covered by their own photovoltaic generation, increasing the weight of renewable electricity in the company's energy balance.
With this second package of actions, in addition to the plants already operational or about to become operational, Correos anticipates that by By the end of 2026, it will have 12 large self-consumption solar installations distributed throughout Spain.The combined infrastructure will reach a total generation capacity close to 4.255 kWp.
That combined power will translate into a estimated annual production of between 5,5 and 6,8 million kWhThis is sufficient, according to the company's estimates, to supply the consumption of between 1.500 and 2.000 typical homes, based on an average usage of 3.000 kWh per year per household.
Beyond these 12 large plants, Correos has set itself the goal of expanding the solar self-consumption project for a total of 21 buildings across its network within a three-year timeframe. The planned deployment would allow us to reach a cumulative production of around 25 million kWh between 2024 and 2028which would translate into a estimated economic savings of 4,3 million euros in that period only in energy costs.
Contracting model and 100% renewable energy
To make this transformation viable, Correos has opted for a a contracting model considered pioneering within the Public AdministrationThe scheme integrates, on the one hand, the acquisition of 100% renewable electricity produced in the company's own solar facilities and, on the other hand, the comprehensive maintenance of photovoltaic plants throughout its useful life.
This approach allows the company to reduce the necessary direct initial investment, while ensuring the proper functioning and optimized performance of the panels. In this way, the aim is to guarantee that the self-consumed energy has competitive and stable pricesThis is especially relevant in a context of frequent changes in electricity markets.
At the same time, Correos has maintained a policy of purchasing electricity from clean sources for years. Since 2018, 100% of the electricity that the company acquires has a guarantee of renewable originwhich has made it possible to avoid CO emissions2 which exceed, on average, the 24.000 annual tons.
The combination of self-consumption in logistics centers with the acquisition of green electricity in the rest of its facilities places the postal company among the public sector entities with greater weight of renewables in its energy mixThis approach helps to align Correos' activities with the climate objectives set at both the national and European levels.
Other energy efficiency measures in buildings
The photovoltaic deployment is complemented by a series of Energy efficiency measures applied in the Correos building networkAmong the actions underway, the progressive replacement of the oil boilers replaced by more efficient and less polluting systems at numerous locations, an action that the company expects will have a direct effect on reducing total energy consumption by 2026. This replacement includes solutions such as integration of aerothermal energy with solar panels in buildings where it is feasible.
In addition, the company has launched a national remote management system in 571 offices distributed throughout SpainThis system allows for real-time monitoring and control of parameters such as electricity consumption, lighting, and climate control. Through remote management, for example, lighting schedules can be adjusted to the actual activity of each facility, and indoor temperatures can be kept within the limits set by applicable regulations.
According to the company's data, this centralized management is allowing them to achieve a annual energy savings of around 1.331.000 kWhIn offices that already have this technology, the Average reduction in consumption exceeds 20%This figure reflects the impact that relatively simple adjustments can have when applied systematically and supported by data.
These initiatives are complemented by Renewal of interior and exterior lighting using LED technology In many distribution centers and commercial offices, efficient lighting contributes to both reducing electricity bills and improving working conditions in operational spaces.
In the area of ​​emissions associated with fuels, Correos has also taken action on the natural gas consumption of its facilities. During the last fiscal year, the company has neutralized CO emissions2 linked to that consumption through a compensation scheme: 90% of emissions have been covered with certified reduction credits (CERs) under United Nations standards, while the remaining 10% has been offset with absorption credits from reforestation projects registered in the National Register of Carbon Footprint and Absorption Projects of the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge.
Sustainable mobility and electric charging on the Correos network
Correos' decarbonization strategy is not limited to buildings and photovoltaic generation. The company has been consolidating itself for some time as one of the logistics operators with the largest presence of low-emission vehicles in Spainopting for alternatives such as electric, hybrid or compressed natural gas powered vehicles.
Currently, the fleet includes more than 4.000 vehicles based on alternative technologies, including vans, motorcycles, and other types of delivery vehicles. The goal set by the company in its 2024-2028 Strategic Plan is that, throughout this period, at least 50% of the operational fleet is considered sustainableThat is, composed of electric, hybrid or compressed natural gas vehicles with lower emissions compared to conventional engines.
To make this transition possible, Correos has deployed the initiative Correos Rechargefocused on equipping its facilities with the necessary infrastructure for electric vehicle charging. To date, the following have been installed 696 charging points for four-wheeled vehicles y 2.562 for two-wheeled vehiclesThis allows it to power both electric vans and motorcycles and mopeds used in daily deliveries.
The use of this charging network is growing steadily. Over the past year, the energy supplied to the company's electric vehicles has reached approximately 1.639.587 kWh, more than 187.900 recharge operations performedThese figures illustrate the growing role of electric mobility in Correos' daily operations, especially in urban environments with restrictions on the circulation of more polluting vehicles.
The push for sustainable mobility, linked to the deployment of own charging points and use of renewable electricityThis allows for further reductions in emissions related to the distribution of shipments and parcels. In this way, photovoltaic generation at logistics centers and fleet electrification reinforce each other within the same decarbonization strategy.
Overall, the installation of New self-consumption photovoltaic panels at Correos logistics centersThe expansion of the Correos Solar project to more buildings, the improvement of energy efficiency in offices and warehouses, and the commitment to a low-emission fleet represent a profound change in the way the postal company operates. With this approach, the company seeks to reduce costs, gain energy independence, and lessen its environmental impact without compromising service continuity throughout the country.
