Legislative Assembly Grants EEM Management of Calheta Hydroelectric Development

The Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of Madeira approved Regional Legislative Decree No. 16/2026/M, of August 4th, which establishes the legal framework for the operation of the Calheta Hydroelectric Development. This legislation has two main objectives: to grant EEM - Empresa de Electricidade da Madeira, S. A. the concession for the private use of the water resources associated with the development and to recognize it as the managing entity for this project, classified as a multi-purpose equivalent development.

The Calheta Hydroelectric Development is a fundamental pillar for the diversification and security of the regional electricity system, integrating the Calheta I, Calheta II (or Inverno), Calheta III (Dr. Rui Rebelo) power plants and the Lombo Brasil Mini-Hydro Power Plant, as well as an extensive network of levadas (water channels), tunnels, and dams.

The decree establishes that the concession for the capture of surface water and the implementation of infrastructure will be formalized in a contract to be signed between EEM and the members of the Regional Government with responsibilities in the areas of environment and hydraulics. In parallel, the management of hydraulic infrastructure (such as dams, levadas, and surge chambers) located upstream of the water delivery points for other users will be exercised by EEM, which assumes rigorous obligations for safety, conservation, and environmental monitoring.

The main users of the managed infrastructure are EEM itself, for energy production, and ARM - Águas e Resíduos da Madeira, S. A., for public supply and irrigation. The management will have an initial term of 50 years, extendable.