- PFERD Rüggeberg S.A., better known as the "Caballito" and dedicated to manufacturing abrasive tools for surface finishing and metal cutting, opted for Endesa X (Endesa's energy services subsidiary) for the construction of two self-consumption facilities at its plants in Vitoria-Gasteiz and Araia (both in the Basque Country).
- The solar plants will have a total capacity of 1,296 kWp, which will cover 14% of the multinational's energy needs at these production centres.
- The rest of PFERD's energy demand in Spain, 10 GWh per year, will be covered by a PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) starting on 1 January for a period of 10 years, a modality increasingly appreciated by energy intensive companies because it allows them to obtain stable prices for their energy supply.
PFERD Rüggeberg S.A., a leading family-owned abrasive manufacturing multinational in Spain and one of the world's leading companies in the sector, has entrusted Endesa with the renewal of its energy supply from next year, going one step further to control its energy costs: First, PFERD secured a long-term PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) for stable prices over the next 10 years and, second, it opted for the Endesa's energy services subsidiary Endesa X to commission self-consumption at its two plants in Spain.
Endesa X will thus build two solar facilities at the company's factories in Vitoria-Gasteiz and Araia, both in the province of Alava, in the Basque Country. These photovoltaic plants will cover a combined power capacity of 1,296 kWp, meeting 14% of PFERD's energy needs for its activities.
The solar photovoltaic plant located in the Júndiz Industrial Complex in Vitoria-Gasteiz will have 1,845 photovoltaic modules installed on the roof, on the ground and on a canopy, while in the Araia plant the 556 photovoltaic modules will all be installed on the ground.
The rest of PFERD's energy needs will be covered by the long-term PPA, whereby Endesa's supplier, Endesa Energía, will supply around 10 GWh per year from 1 January 2023 at a price agreed between the two parties. 30% of this energy will be certified with Guarantees of Origin (GoO) for renewable energy, so that, in addition to the solar installations for self-consumption, the industry is taking a great step forward in terms of sustainability and decarbonisation of its activity.
PFERD's Head of Planning and Purchasing, Juan Zubieta, explains that the "solar power systems that will be built in the factories and the long-term supply agreement will mean that more than 40% of our electricity consumption will be certified from renewable sources from next year onwards".
Endesa X managing director Davide Ciciliato commented: "We are happy to accompany PFERD on its roadmap towards decarbonisation. Solar power and a number of additional energy efficiency initiatives are among the key issues in addressing the energy transition in the industrial sector. Self-consumption will allow them to be more competitive, achieving substantial savings on their electricity bills, as well as helping them to meet the company's sustainability and CSR objectives".
Carlos Fatás, Endesa's B2B director for the northern region, clarified that "PPAs have become a fundamental tool for mitigating price-related risks and providing long-term economic stability, as well as covering energy needs. This instrument, together with ongoing assessment on the present and future situation of the different energy markets, enables us to consolidate the present and prepare for the future with guarantees to both companies. PFERD and Endesa have been working together as partners for over 15 years and the long-term commitment we have made greatly strengthens our ties. Being able to have industries such as PFERD by our side is great tidings for Endesa. This agreement also reaffirms the commitment of both entities to the environment and future generations”.
PFERD, more commonly known as "Caballito", manufactures high-quality surface treatment abrasives for roughing and mirror polishing as well as for cutting and drilling materials.. Endesa has been supplying energy under agreement since 2015 and now, with the installation of the two solar photovoltaic systems, the company will achieve greater autonomy in terms of energy consumption, as 100% of the production of the self-consumption facilities will be consumed in the factories themselves. Both measures will reduce the carbon footprint by 1,083 tonnes of CO2/year, equivalent to the absorption capacity of 1,083 trees over a 40-year life span.
Intelligent monitoring
The self-consumption project carried out for PFERD also includes Endesa X's Energy Management Service (EMS), which will enable it to monitor the energy produced by the photovoltaic installations, the energy self-consumed and the savings produced in a simple way once they are in operation. This service also lets users view their real-time consumption, detect anomalies, cost overruns or deviations, study their causes and, with this information, design the necessary measures to resolve them, which translates into direct savings. The EMS does not only provide the client with data and who then has to interpret it, it also makes an analysis that enables informed decisions to be taken.
Endesa X can also provide full support to companies throughout the entire process of managing the existing subsidies for self-consumption installations, which significantly reduce the costs involved in installing panels and make the return on investment even more attractive. Endesa X manages these grants for its customers, as well as providing them with the advice they need to choose the best photovoltaic installation option.
About PFERD
PFERD Rüggeberg S.A. is a leading manufacturer of abrasive tools for surface finishing and metal cutting. A family-owned company drawing from over a century's worth of tradition, it has eight production sites around the world and offers an extensive range of over 10,000 tools. Its 1,950 employees at 7 production sites and 25 subsidiaries around the world ensure close contact with the market for optimum advice and delivery.
About Endesa
Endesa is the largest electricity utility in Spain and the second largest in Portugal. The company is also the second largest gas operator in the Spanish market. Endesa operates an end-to-end generation, distribution and marketing business. Through Endesa X it also offers value-added services aimed at the electrification of energy usage in homes, companies, industries and Public Administrations. A new line of business has also been created. Endesa X Way is fully dedicated to electric mobility. Endesa is firmly committed to the United Nations SDGs and strongly supports the development of renewable energies through Enel Green Power España, the digitalisation of grids through e-distribution, and corporate social responsibility (CSR). The Endesa Foundation is also active in CSR-related matters. Our workforce numbers around 9,260 employees. Endesa is a division of Enel, Europe’s largest electricity group.
Endesa X is Endesa's business line dedicated to energy efficiency. Endesa X is a division of Enel X Global Retail and a leader in the development of innovative solutions in support of energy transition. It is aimed at consumers, companies and administrations, providing a modular and integrated offer based on their needs and promoting the electrification of energy uses and digitalisation as motors driving the creation of new value. Endesa X's ecosystem of solutions includes products and services for the optimisation and self-generation of electricity and premium energy efficiency solutions, with the aim of helping customers to create their energy roadmap. Enel X Global Retail operates demand response services worldwide, with 8.2 GW of total capacity, 65 MW of behind-the-meter storage capacity and over 2.8 million street lighting points deployed at locations around the world. It also provides energy services to 64 million residential customers every day.