Green
IT’S OFFICIAL THE ALGARVE IS GOING GREEN...
We talk to your local experts, Casa Verde to learn about Portugals love for going green and how they can help you on your way to a greener home.
B
y bringing more sun solar-powered solutions, an increase in fabulous (world class) blue flag beaches and a rise in producers bringing outstanding organic products to our tables, Portugal has been working consistently hard. In 2019 the country took first place in the “Best of Europe” category at ITB’s Berlin’s annual Sustainable Top 100 Destination Awards. And Portugal is continually progressing, leading the way for quality, beauty and sustainability – thus creating a greener future for itself. The 300 days a year of glorious sunshine gives everyone a huge opportunity to benefit from solar energy. In 2019 seven councils signed a photovoltaic energy memorandum, combining efforts with the Algarve Regional Energy and Environment Agency to promote storage and selfconsumption solutions for solar power. Portugal’s latest auction of contracts to build and operate new solar energy capacity set a world record for the lowest price of future output. One winning bid was costing as little as 11.14 euros per megawatt hour (Mwh). The aim is to have 7,000 mw of renewable energy by 2030, which equates to 80% of consumable energy being produced by renewable resources. Fantastic.
14
If life’s a beach, as of July 2020, there are now 360 praias with blue flag status, that’s 8 more than in 2019. And the Algarve claims 88 of them – more than any other region in the country. The eco-label is highly regarded and includes marinas and sustainable boat tours. A beach must meet environmental, educational, accessibility and safety criteria to scoop a coveted award. If that wasn’t good news, the countryside is powering up too… … with more organic farmers and growers coming to market. Organic farming entails adhering to stricter environmental best practices, preserving natural resources, keeping high standards and focussing on better animal welfare and production. Some 3,000 hectares of land in the Algarve is certified for organic farming, including olive groves, fruit and vegetable crops and wineries. And for a taste of the past, good things are happening, as a new venture has restarted the fish industry. At peak, 34,000 tons of products were produced and once employed 20,000 people in 150 factories. Check your supermarket shelves… buy local, support your growers. Help power the Algarvean economy. If you need to know more about renewables, talk to your local experts. With over 20 years’ experience in the sector,
October 2020
