ADENE, the Energy Agency of Portugal, and Orkustofnun, the National Energy Authority of Iceland, have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), solidifying their collaboration in the field of renewable energy, with a specific focus on geothermal energy. The MOU signing took place during the first official visit of a Portuguese Prime Minister to Iceland, with Prime Minister António Costa in attendance.
During the visit, both Prime Minister Costa and Icelandic Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir emphasized the shared values and strategic alignment between Portugal and Iceland. They highlighted their mutual commitment to addressing pressing global challenges such as climate change and the protection of oceans.
Prime Minister Costa expressed his enthusiasm for the opportunities presented by the collaboration, particularly in the renewable energy sector. He emphasized Portugal's interest in learning from Iceland's expertise in geothermal energy, particularly in the area of carbon capture for industrial applications. Additionally, he highlighted the potential for advancing collaboration in the oceans sector.
Nelson Lage, the President of ADENE, underscored the significance of the MOU with Orkustofnun, recognizing Iceland as a leading country in geothermal energy utilization. He emphasized that the agreement would enable Portugal to deepen its relationship with Iceland and facilitate the exchange of knowledge, innovative concepts, solutions, and business models in the energy sector. This would include areas such as renewable energy communities and energy storage systems.
Iceland, known for its successful implementation of geothermal projects, serves as an inspiring example for Portugal. The Portuguese government is particularly interested in replicating Iceland's achievements in geothermal energy, especially in the Azores, where plans are already underway to expand the capacity of the Pico Vermelho geothermal power plant.
It is important to note that the collaboration between ADENE and Orkustofnun extends beyond geothermal energy. Portugal and Iceland are actively engaged in international forums and agreements related to the overall energy transition and the promotion of climate actions. This broader partnership reflects the commitment of both countries to pursuing sustainable energy solutions and contributing to global efforts in combating climate change.
