Portugal installs first electric boat supercharger – with more plans for Algarve
Marina de Lagos has become the first Aqua superPower marine fast charging destination in Portugal.
The newly installed Aqua 75 supercharger at Marina de Lagos will be part of a growing regional charging network to be rolled out along the Algarve. The news follows Aqua superPower’s recent announcement of its expansion into Scandinavia and the US.
Aqua superPower has actioned a strong growth strategy over the past year, installing its charging network with partners in Spain, the Italian lakes, the Mediterranean and the UK.
Marina de Lagos has 460 berths and wants to become a leading centre for electric boating. Joining Aqua superPower’s global marine fast charge network is part of the marina’s commitment to drive marine decarbonisation and reduce the impact of boating on the environment.
“Marina de Lagos is thrilled to be the first marina in Portugal to offer electric boat fast charging,” says Martinho Fortunato, CEO of Marina de Lagos.
“This is a crucial step in our pioneering environmental protection plan, for which we have found the perfect partners in Aqua superPower and Galaxia Boats, who share our determination, experience and the commitment to greener boating and the environment. We know that electric boats are here now, and they require the reliable ‘plug & go’ fast charging infrastructure Aqua superPower provides.”
Partnering with Galaxia Boats, Marina de Lagos hosted Portugal’s first all-electric boat show earlier this year, promoting a broad range of environmental boating solutions and the largest display yet of electric boats in Europe.
The new Aqua superPower marine fast charger at Marina de Lagos represents the first station of the network and charging corridor to be built out along the Algarve and Portuguese coast.
Hugo Pereira, mayor of Lagos, adds: “One of the main areas of intervention that we have chosen as a priority in municipal activity is to make Lagos a sustainable territory, in parallel with economic, social and cultural development. It is, therefore, with great pride that we witness the installation of the first charger for electric vessels existing on the Portuguese coast in Marina de Lagos.
“Without a doubt, it is an important move towards the transition away from fossil fuels and chemicals to non-polluting energy in the nautical world and will serve as a stimulus for the sector to consider its investment strategy going forwards. After all, this clean energy transition is the responsibility of us all, both individually and as a society. It is a future we have to pursue and help make a reality.”
“We are delighted to service Marina de Lagos as Portugal’s most progressive destination in setting a positive example with the promotion of clean electric boating and sustainable marina management,” says Alex Bamberg, CEO of Aqua superPower. “We share the marina’s mission to protect the oceans while enabling boat users to enjoy the water with the goal of sustainability and conservation of the environment in mind.
“By joining the Aqua superPower network, Marina de Lagos is able to meet the growing demand for electric boats and the infrastructure required to support them. We will be creating a fully built-out marine fast charging corridor and regional infrastructure along the Algarve, starting with Marina de Lagos as the first charging hub.”