Empresa de Eletricidade da Madeira (EEM) is in the final stages of the project to increase the storage capacity of the Serra de \u00c1gua Hydroelectric Power Plant. This investment, funded by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) at approximately 5 million euros, aims to boost energy production from water sources. It also serves to adapt Madeira\u2019s power system to integrate intermittent renewable energies. <\/p>\n\n
The project includes the construction of a 4,200-cubic-meter reservoir and a 520-meter-long tunnel, which adds an extra volume of 6,250 cubic meters. This totals a new storage capacity of 10,450 cubic meters in this initial phase, with future expansion plans to reach up to 18,000 cubic meters. Operation is scheduled to begin at the end of May, contributing to water resource management during the summer, reinforcing water reserves at altitude, and providing potential support for aerial firefighting. <\/p>\n\n
According to the Regional Secretary Pedro Rodrigues, this project is part of a larger PRR package exceeding 100 million euros allocated to EEM to enhance renewable energy production and reduce fossil fuel dependency. This intervention follows the remodeling of the hydroelectric plant, which successfully doubled its installed capacity from 5.2 to 10.8 Megawatts. <\/p>\n\n