PROJECT LIFE IP CLIMAZ - Meeting of the Advisory Council of Graciosa Island Nature Park

Aug. 7, 2023

The LIFE IP CLIMAZ project, coordinated by the Regional Secretariat of Environment and Climate Change, has participated in the 25th meeting of the Graciosa Island Nature Park's Advisory Council, which took place on June 6th, where the current status of the actions carried out in that island were presented and discussed, more precisely sub-action C3.1 - Extending/broadening the geographical coverage of the public network of chargers electric vehicles - and sub-action C9.1 - Incentives for household substitution of propane-based water heating for electric water heaters accumulators.

Regarding the first action, we would like to point out that it allows the Municipalities to apply for the reinforcement/enlargement of the electric vehicle charging points installed in the island. Under this action, a protocol was established between the Regional Secretariat of Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures, through the Regional Directorate of Energy, and the Municipality of Santa Cruz da Graciosa, which will allow the installation of a charging point for electric vehicles, that will be available at the Town Hall and connected to the Electric Mobility Network Management Entity - EGME (MOBI.E, S.A.) network.

Under the LIFE IP CLIMAZ project, 40 more charging points will also be installed in the archipelago, providing the regional network with a total of 87 stations.

Regarding sub-action C9.1, we highlight that it will provide incentives for the replacement of butane-based water heating equipment (water heaters), by electric equipment such as water heating accumulators, allowing to increase the efficiency of the use of renewable energies in Graciosa island, within the scope of adaptation and mitigation in the production, use and distribution of energy. This measure translates into the free provision of electric water accumulators with intelligent use management and their respective installation in up to 1500 homes on the island, representing a total investment of 657,800.00 euros, through an application process administered by the Regional Directorate of Energy. There has already been a first registration period, in which around 300 applications from Graciosa residents were received, of which 225 have already been approved, resulting in the zero-cost installation of these equipment, properly adapted to each family and respective residence.

During this meeting, some of the actions taking place in other Azorean islands were also disclosed, and which could, in the future, be replicated in Graciosa Island.

This meeting intends to maintain and increase the involvement of regional stakeholders with the work of LIFE IP CLIMAZ in a partnership perspective (Action F2.2).

Find more about this project at www.lifeipclimaz.eu