A New Era of Renewable Energy at the Algarve International Circuit
The Algarve International Circuit (AIA), located near Portimão, has officially inaugurated its Renewable Energy Community, marking the first of its kind in the world created by a racing circuit. This initiative is the result of a collaborative project between the AIA and SES Energia, featuring 2,000 photovoltaic panels with a production capacity of 1 Megawatt.
Jaime Costa, administrator of Parkalgar, stated that this capacity not only supplies energy to the circuit but also to nearby facilities, including a hotel, apartments, a karting track, and the upcoming Celerator, a technological hub. This development signifies a step towards sustainability that has been a priority since the circuit opened in 2008, establishing it as a leader in this sector.
Paulo Silva, administrator of SES Energia, highlighted the uniqueness of this Renewable Energy Community (CER), emphasizing that it demonstrates how motor sports can embrace sustainable energy. The installation of the panels follows previous installations over the Media Centre and Medical Centre during the 2024 MotoGP event.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Álvaro Bila, president of the Portimão City Council, who praised the vision of Paulo Pinheiro for making the AIA a leading example of environmental cleanliness. Rui Freitas, Secretary of State Adjunct to the Presidency, mentioned that this CER is one of approximately 200 emerging in Portugal, showcasing the combination of carbon neutrality and motor sports.
During the ceremony, Pedro Severino from APCER presented Jaime Costa with the ISO 20121 certification, recognizing the circuit's adherence to sustainable practices.
This initiative represents a private investment of around one million euros and aligns with other sustainable actions at the AIA, such as the use of synthetic fuels, recycling of waste materials, utilization of wastewater for irrigation, and the deployment of electric scooters within the paddock. Additionally, the AIA is the only circuit on the MotoE calendar that uses electric motorcycles, allowing for energy supply directly from the grid without diesel generators. The new photovoltaic panels equate to the planting of 38,000 trees, a feat impractical within the circuit's grounds.
Pedro Severino and Jaime Costa.
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