The Regional Director for Energy stressed the importance of the project that has started to be implemented on Graciosa in partnership with the Azores Electricity Company (EDA) and Younicos. This island will become another example in the Azores with regard to the pioneering use of renewable energy.

The project designed to boost renewable energy will be implemented through the construction of a 4.5 megawatt wind farm and a 1 megawatt photovoltaic farm, which will be powered by a 2.6 megawatt lithium-ion battery park. In this regard, Rosa Nunes said it will be possible to demonstrate on Graciosa the economic feasibility of introducing renewable energy into the power grid, thus making the "white island" an example that can be replicated.

The project developed by EDA and the Younicos will increase the penetration of power generation from renewable energy sources, which will ensure the balance of the power grid almost immediately, through a system of properly tested batteries to be installed on the island.

Hence, the acquisition of fossil fuels will be reduced to a minimum as well as their environmental impact.

The production system, consisting of the wind and photovoltaic farms, will contribute to boost the autonomy of Graciosa Island in terms of power generation by 70%. It is another example of a series of projects developed and supported by the Government with the aim of making the Azores a pioneer region in the production and use of renewable energy.

The Government of the Azores has set a major goal for this area: the Region should reach a penetration rate of renewable energy of about 53% by 2017, through an investment over 85 million Euros.

In addition to reducing the import of fossil fuels, this investment will also avert the emission of about 188 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.