The Renewable Energy Programme Area (PA6) is under the scope of the “Climate Change and Renewable Energy” Priority Sector of EEA Financial Mechanism 2009-2014 (EEAFM 2009-2014), contributing to the reduction of economic and social disparities through the diversification of conventional energy supply.
The overall objectives of the “GAIa Programme” are built on the aims of the EEAFM 2009-2014 to contribute to the reduction of economic and social disparities in the European Economic Area, in Azores by offering a green and reliable source of electricity to its inhabitants. The development of the “GAIa Programme” will create high-skilled jobs, generate and help to develop the local business, promote important savings for the economy of the islands (as it voids the importation of fossil fuel) and it is environment-friendly because it decreases the CO2 emissions.
The “GAIa Programme” narrows the scope of the Renewable Energy Programme Area (PA6) in line with the specific concerns of the Memorandum of Understanding which states that the programme shall focus on geothermal energy in the Azores Islands. Basic on this specific concern, the direction of the “GAIa Programme”, approved on May 31st, 2013, is basically twofold, providing support to investments which contribute to the increase of the production of electricity through the exploitation of geothermal resources (outcome I), as well as through a small grant scheme improving capacity at regional level on geothermal energy field (outcome II).
The outcome I will be reached through pre-defined project, the purpose of which is to give grant assistance to the construction of a “Geothermal Pilot Power Plant of 3 MW, on Terceira Island”, having as project promoter EDA RENOVÁVEIS, S. A.

At Pico Alto, on Terceira Island, the Pico Alto Geothermal Power Plant, a pilot plant of 3MW, will be constructed and put in operation through the following contracts:

1. Pico Alto 3.0 to 3.5 MW Geothermal Power Plant;
2. Civil Works of the Pico Alto Geothermal Power Plant;
3. Injection Line and Auxiliary Equipment’s;
4. 30 kV Substation of the Pico Alto Geothermal Power Plant;
5. Provision for one Power Transformer 31,5/11 kV, 5,5 MVA and one Service Transformer.

The construction of the Pico Alto Geothermal Power Plant started on the 12^th of January 2016 with the civil construction works. The following different contracts were conducted in a phased manner in compliance with the construction sequence. During the month of August 2016 all contractors will be developing their work on the field. It is estimated that at the end of the first trimester of 2017 the Pico Alto Geothermal Power Plant will be completed.