Approximately 30,000 T8 fluorescent lighting fixtures were replaced with LED technology in 70 vocational education schools on the Portuguese mainland and the islands, as part of the LED@SCHOOLS program, promoted by ANESPO – National Association of Professional Schools and by AEEP – Association of Private and Cooperative Education Establishments, according to a press release.
According to the same source, which began on August 4, 2022, the project represents one of the largest lighting modernization interventions in vocational schools in the country, contributing significantly to reducing electricity consumption and to environmental sustainability.
The program’s central objectives are to improve energy efficiency in schools and raise awareness among the school community for more sustainable practices. Replacing the old lighting fixtures with LED technology allowed the lighting of the facilities to be rehabilitated, improving the quality of service for students, teachers, and non-teaching staff, and significantly reducing the CO₂ emissions associated with lighting. The multiplier nature of the initiative aims to serve as a model for other schools and sectors, promoting the energy transition in Portugal.
The project’s closing will be marked with a final wrap-up webinar, which will take place on January 21, from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. During the session, the main results of the program, the practical aspects of the lighting improvement, and the experiences of the participating schools will be presented, followed by an open debate with attendees. Registration and additional information are available here.
LED@SCHOOLS, funded by the Plan for the Promotion of Efficiency in the Consumption of Electrical Energy and managed by the Energy Services Regulatory Authority (ERSE), demonstrates how structured energy efficiency policies can generate savings, innovation, and positive environmental impact. The program actively engages the school community, contributes to the targets of the National Plan for Energy and Climate 2030, and positions itself as a reference for other sustainability initiatives in the country.
PROGRAM:
2:30 – 2:35 p.m. Opening
Promoter OrganizationAmadeu Dinis, ANESPO, Promoter Entity
2:35 – 2:40 p.m. Initial Presentation of the Project
Luís Costa, ANESPO, Promoter Entity
2:40 – 3:00 p.m. Practical Aspects of Lighting Improvement
Ricardo Guilherme, Neves & Ferrão LDA
3:00 – 3:20 p.m. The Experience of Participating Schools
Rui Miguel Costa, Colégio do Ave
António Évora, Ourém Professional School
3:20 – 3:40 p.m. Ideas Contest for the Project’s Corporate Image
José Bravo Bourbon, Communications Consultant
3:40 – 4:00 p.m. Final Results of the Project
Carlos Laia, CEETA-ECO, LED@SCHOOLS Consulting Entity
4:00 – 4:30 p.m. Debate
A space for questions and the sharing of ideas and opinions by the audience attending the webinar
