EDP, a prominent player in the renewable energy sector, is pioneering a fully autonomous operation and maintenance (O&M) solution for solar parks. The company has initiated the Scale Up O&M pilot project, marking the first global test of an intelligent platform designed to perform O&M interventions autonomously. This system can analyze real-time data and command robots to conduct inspection, cleaning, and vegetation cutting tasks.
The new automation solution aims to enhance efficiency, safety, and sustainability by reducing human exposure to challenging environments. It also addresses difficulties in hiring specialized labor in remote areas while providing scalable solutions for operational growth. EDP anticipates significant cost reductions in panel cleaning and vegetation cutting—potentially up to 80%—depending on site characteristics.
Ana Paula Marques, executive board member of EDP, stated: “For the first time, we tested at EDP a fully autonomous operation and maintenance solution in a solar park—a breakthrough that reinforces our commitment to concrete solutions to accelerate the energy transition… Investing in automation is investing in more accessible, more competitive, and more future-ready renewable energy.”
The pilot is being conducted at the Cruz de Hierro/Villacastín solar park in Spain. EDP plans to integrate this technology across its global operations to improve competitiveness while allowing human teams to focus on strategic activities.
To automate its O&M operations effectively, EDP utilizes five technological components. Drones equipped with AI software conduct aerial inspections and identify issues such as dirt or vegetation affecting energy production. This information feeds into an IoT platform that analyzes conditions using SCADA data before deploying robots for targeted cleaning or cutting missions.
This method contrasts with conventional preventive approaches by enabling precise interventions where needed. The Scale Up O&M initiative follows the AutoPV project from last October which explored large-scale photovoltaic park construction using Hyperflex automation technology.
With over 90% of its energy derived from renewables—including 6.2 GW of installed solar capacity—EDP continues its commitment towards decarbonization with an aim for net-zero emissions by 2040.
