On the Sol do Cerrado Solar Project
The project contemplates the construction of a photovoltaic plant, including 17 sub-parks that total an installed capacity of 766 megawatts peak (MWp). It also includes the implementation of an elevator substation, transmission line and connection bay at the 230 kV Jaíba Substation, with contracts signed for connection to the Brazilian National Interconnected System. With investments of around US$ 500 million for its implementation, due to its location and scope, the Project is eligible for sustainable financing lines¹. The investment is a strategic alternative that, in addition to helping achieve the goals of sustainability and competitiveness, will provide a reduction of approximately US$ 70 million per year in electricity costs.
 
The project, with operational start-up by the fourth quarter of 2022, will produce approximately 193 average megawatt (MWa) of energy per year for Vale's operations, corresponding to 13% of Vale's
estimated demand in 2025. Solar generation, located in the Southeastern region, also optimizes the generation profile of Vale's portfolio, which is based on hydro generation.
 
The project was approved by Vale's Board of Directors and is subject to customary closing conditions, including approval by the National Electric Energy Agency (Aneel).
 
Emissions Reduction in Line with the Paris Agreement
The energy consumption from solar source, 100% renewable, is expected to allow the reduction of Vale's scope 2 emissions2 by up to 136,407 tCO2e/year3 , from the beginning of the Sol do Cerrado
operations, an important contribution to the company's medium- and long-term goals in Sustainability, in particular, (a) to the goal of 33%-reduction in Vale's scopes 1 and 2 emissions by 2030, in line with the Paris Agreement; and (b) for carbon neutrality by 2050.
 
Path to Self-Sufficiency with Renewable Energy
The Project is part of a total of US$ 2 billion in investments to reduce carbon emissions by Vale. Its development is an important contribution to the goal of 100% energy self-production from renewable sources in Brazil, by 2025, and 100% consumption of renewable electricity, globally, by 2030.
 
In addition to these projects, Vale's portfolio includes stakes, through Aliança Geração de Energia SA, in the Gravier and Acauã wind projects, in Ceará and Rio Grande do Norte, respectively, which sum
up 180.6 MW of installed capacity, with 55% of its production driven to Vale starting in 2021, in addition to 100% of the energy production from the Santo Inácio wind farm, which has been operating since 2018.
 
Vale also has the option to purchase 60% or 100% of the shares of the Folha Larga Sul Project, in Campo Formoso (BA), with an installed capacity of 151.2 MW and already operating, which has 60% of the its production delivered to Vale or its subsidiaries. The call option is established for the second half of 2022, subject to the approval of the Company's Board of Directors.
 
Vale continues to evaluate other options for achieving energy self-sufficiency in Brazil in 2025. In this sense, its increase in self-production is illustrated in the graph below:

1 Sustainable financing lines are intended to finance projects that bring socioenvironmental benefits or companies that are committed to meeting ESG indicator targets.
2 Greenhouse gas emissions by electricity purchase.
3 Considering the average emissions factor of the Brazilian grid over the past three years.