EDP and Paper Prime have put into operation an industrial heat electrification project in Portugal. The solution consists of a 2.7 MW electric boiler installed at Paper Prime's industrial unit in Vila Velha de Ródão, which allows replacing part of the natural gas consumption with electricity in steam production required for the industrial process. Paper Prime produces and commercializes more than 33,000 tonnes of tissue paper products annually, operating 24 hours a day, which makes heat production a critical component of its activity.
The project manages to avoid more than 830 tonnes of carbon dioxide in just three months, after reducing natural gas consumption by more than 4.5 GWh. This solution contributes to the decarbonization of one of the most energy-intensive components of the paper industry. During the first half of 2026, the average price of electricity in the Iberian market was lower than natural gas for more than half the time, allowing the industrial unit to operate approximately 50% of the time in 100% electric mode.
The solution is provided by EDP through a Heat-as-a-Service model, in which the utility assumes the initial investment, installation, operation and maintenance of the electric boiler. This way, companies can benefit from heat electrification technology without the need for initial investment. The model allows flexible management of electricity and natural gas usage, adapting operations to energy market conditions and reducing exposure to price volatility.
For Paper Prime, the project represents another step in its energy efficiency and decarbonization strategy. António Araújo, responsible for EDP Comercial's business enterprise operations on the Iberian Peninsula, stated that the solution allows electrifying processes progressively and flexibly, reducing emissions without compromising operational continuity or competitiveness. Paulo Lobo Correia, administrator of Paper Prime, considered that the first results demonstrate it is possible to combine decarbonization and competitiveness.
