The President of the Regional Government opened today the Terceira Geothermal Plant, an investment carried out under the strategic goal to ensure the Region's sustainability. It represents the "victory of determination, persistence and ambition."
 
"It is indeed a victory of persistence, a victory of determination and a victory of believing that it was possible to transform this immense resource that is at our disposal - geothermal - into an important factor that contributes to the sustainability of the development of this island and our Region," said Vasco Cordeiro.
 
The President of the Government spoke at the opening of the new power plant of EDA Renováveis. He pointed out that this investment is in line with a series of "other options that have been taken in the past, which are being implemented in the present and we want them to be successful in the future."
 
In this regard, Vasco Cordeiro added that there is currently an increase in the use of renewable energy resources in the Azores, through the investment in a system consisting of seven wind farms, 12 hydroelectric power plants and two geothermal power plants. With the power plant opened today, there are 21 power plants in operation in the Azores.
 
According to the President of the Government, this network provides more than 37% of the total electricity produced in the archipelago through renewable sources. Geothermal energy is main energy source (24%), followed by wind and hydropower.
 
"It is important to emphasise geothermal energy since, for example, the contribution of the geothermal source on São Miguel Island is at 44.5%, which, combined with hydro and wind power sources, makes up 54.7% of electricity production on this island," said Vasco Cordeiro.
 
With this new plant on Terceira, it is estimated that geothermal production will reach about 10% of the island's electricity needs by 2018. It will contribute to the increase in electricity production from renewable or endogenous sources from 22% in 2016 to almost 40 percent next year.
 
It is a strategic option that also concerns Autonomy, further projecting it to another dimension, through the reduction of the Region's dependence on energy produced from fossil fuels.
 
In his speech, the President of the Government also highlighted the care and concern with regard to planning in this area, noting the creation of the Azorean Energy Strategy for 2030 and the Regional Plan for Climate Change.
 
Vasco Cordeiro acknowledged regional and national partners involved in the project of this new geothermal power plant as well as international partners under the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area - EEA Grants. Their efforts have "made this power plant a reality."