Despite having taken into account tourism and consequently the increase of seasonal usage, directors of the company say that the elevated consumption is due "to the power of purchasing", and to the growth of the number of clients, which according to the company, increased by 50 thousand between 2001 and 2005.
In a combination of High, Medium and Low Tension, in 2001, the region consumed 1.624 Gwh (Giga watt/hour). In 2005 consumption had already risen to 2.037 Gwh, those who consume the most being people in their houses. Of these 2.037 GwH, the domestic consumption signified 1.284 Gwh, whilst in restaurants and similar, 248 Gwh were used.
Details were today presented by the company in a meeting with the press, which also served - and in accord with Carlos Lobato, Director of the Area of the Algarve Network - to initiate a new cycle of open communication by the EDP to the media.
On the occasion it was announced, for example, that the total investment of the company for this year in the Algarve is almost nine million euros. And that the investment in quality services is already visible.
The EDP said that in 2001, due to faults, there were registered a total of 500 minutes of electrical interruptions in the region and that in 2006 there were little more than 100 minutes.

"Unfortunately, yesterday's conditions provoked several faults, but we managed to recouperate the situation by the end of the day", emphasised Carlos Lobato. Faults to public illumination "are being rectified in up to eight days after a complaint".
Also touched on during the occasion was the matter of the liberalisation of the market to clients in domestic consumption. Something which for now has not been put on paper, as there is no competition on the horizon.
Soares Lopes, of the Commercial Department of the company made a point of saying that this competition will only appear with the increase of tariffs to 16%, as was recently reported.
The Government manifested and the increase should not exceed 6 or 7%, by which according to the EDP, competition should not appear. However, Soares Lopes left the message "The 16% is necessary. If not paid today, it will have to be paid tomorrow".

source: regiao sul