Renewables already produce energy for 4 months

In 2024, the Autonomous Region of Madeira reached a historic milestone by producing 33 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources such as wind, hydro, solar and solid urban waste – the equivalent of four months of regional consumption. This represents a significant drop in dependence on thermal sources (diesel and natural gas), which fell from 72.1 per cent in 2023 to 67.1 per cent in 2024.

Wind energy was mainly responsible for this boost, increasing 82 per cent over the last decade with a total of 161 GWh in 2024 (17 per cent of the total). Production from solid urban waste increased 41 per cent in ten years, contributing 46.7 GWh last year.

In terms of reducing emissions, the commitment to renewable sources has helped to avoid thousands of tonnes of CO₂ and other pollutants. At the same time, projects are underway to electrify RAM’s harbours and encourage electric mobility, contributing to the objectives of the European Green Deal.
Despite the progress, the road to energy self-sufficiency still lies ahead, with new investments planned in solar, hydro and energy storage infrastructures.