AREAM – Agência Regional da Energia e Ambiente da Região Autónoma da Madeira
AREAM is the regional energy and environment agency of Madeira, a non-profit association of public utility dedicated to promoting sustainabl…
1 project
Micro-hydro
The Hide PT and Folha Verde in central Portugal use flowing water as part of their off-grid energy systems. Micro-hydro can provide steady power where a suitable stream runs year-round.
Projects in this focus
Micro-hydro in Portugal
A stream with a few metres of fall produces less power than a roof of panels but produces it at night, in December, and in the rain, which is exactly when solar does not. On the right property it is the cheapest baseload there is.
The Hide runs one in a valley near Oleiros and Folha Verde uses the streams of the Serra do Açor. Casas da Levada draws on the Madeiran levada system at Ponta do Pargo, Retiro Atlântico works from a farm on São Jorge, and AREAM handles the regional energy planning behind both islands.
Water rights and licensing are the real obstacle, not the turbine. See also off-grid systems, solar power and battery storage. Dated activities from these projects are listed in our events calendar.