In a statement, EDP explains that the award was presented in Brussels (Belgium), by the European Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson, in an initiative that marked the start of “Sustainable Energy Week,” considered the largest annual event dedicated to renewable energies.


For EDP, this distinction "recognises not only the pioneering and innovative technology" developed by the company in this project but also its "contribution" to the expansion of renewable energies and to the energy transition.


“EDP's project was one of the three finalists selected for these sustainable energy awards, which recognize outstanding projects, in progress or recently completed, that demonstrate an original and innovative path for the energy transition, having won after a global vote that took place in June,” the document reads.


On EDP's website, it is explained that this project has been operating "for about a year" in Alqueva and is hybrid because it combines solar energy, hydroelectricity, and battery storage, using an "innovative scalable" technology, which contributes to reducing costs, emissions and protecting nature at the same time.


“This principle of combining different forms of renewable energy in a single project and a single point of connection to the grid is at the basis of the five megawatts (MW) floating solar power plant in Alqueva, where 12,000 solar panels float on four hectares of the Alqueva dam reservoir,” reads the page.


“The floating solar plant, whose mooring system with elastic cables was developed within the framework of the Fresher project, financed by the European Union, provides enough energy to supply 30% of the energy consumption of families in the region”, they add.


Author

A passionate Irish journalist with a love for cycling, politics and of course Portugal especially their sausage rolls.

Rory Mc Ginn