Renewable energy and electricity transmission in the Azores
Securing the quality and reliability of energy supply systems poses very unique challenges for islands. Energy imports imply significant economic and environmental costs, yet restricted economic activity can leave appropriate investment options for clean energy out of reach. Situated some 1 360 km west of mainland Portugal, the nine volcanic islands of the Azores archipelago recognise the need to increase power generation from renewable energy sources to tackle these issues head on.
For the eighth time, Electricidade dos Açores S.A. (EDA) has turned to the EIB as a financing partner to support the company’s 2011-2016 investment programme. The project will cover investments in the areas of geothermal energy, electricity transmission and distribution and oil-fired generation in the nine Portuguese islands and will result in the addition of approximately 15.5 MW of generating capacity and the implementation of approximately 200 transmission and distribution schemes.
In addition to increasing power generation from renewable energy sources and upgrading the power distribution and transmission grid, the project will involve investments in the upgrading of existing thermal power stations.
The project will help to meet electricity demand in the Azores in an environmentally sustainable way using available natural resources, and will improve the quality of supply, reduce system losses and facilitate the integration of generation from renewable energy sources over the nine islands of the archipelago.
