Aler

About Us

Mission

Promote renewable energies in Portuguese-speaking countries, with the public and private sector, creating cooperation platforms with the various stakeholders and functioning as a common voice, to improve the business environment and enhance the socio-economic benefits of renewable energies.

Vision

Ensure a fair and inclusive energy transition in Portuguese-speaking countries, whereby renewable energy plays a critical role to secure universal energy access.

Team

Executive Board

Isabel Cancela de Abreu
Executive Director

Isabel is an Environmental Engineer with a Postgraduate Degree in Sustainable Energy Systems from the MIT-Portugal Program. After gaining experience at the Portuguese and European renewable energy associations, she founded ALER at the end of 2014, of which she has been Executive Director since then. In addition to managing the Association, Isabel ensures ALER's public relations, interacting with funders, partners and Members and representing ALER at national and international events.

Read more

Project Management

Pedro Clemente
Chief Operating Officer

Pedro is an Environmental Engineer, with a master's degree in Environmental Management and Systems, having worked as a scientific researcher and as an environmental and social impact consultant in renewable energy projects.
He is ALER’s Chief Operating Officer and is responsible for the development and promotion of renewable energy initiatives in Portuguese-speaking African countries.

Read more
Afonso Mendonça
Financial and Administrative Manager

Afonso is a business manager with a master's degree in industrial management from ISEG. He has over a decade of experience managing teams and heading accounting and financial departments in the legal and solicitors' sector in Portugal. At ALER he is responsible for administrative and financial management, the preparation of the annual budget and in charge of all administrative, accounting and financial procedures.

Read more
Eduarda Couto
Executive Officer

Eduarda has a master's degree in management with a specialization in sustainability. She began her professional career at the European Commission in Brussels, where she was a trainee in the Multilateral Affairs unit of the Directorate-General for Climate Action. She is interested in climate diplomacy, sustainable development and international cooperation, and has experience in development projects in São Tomé and Príncipe. Eduarda is a Executive Officer at ALER. 

Read more
Zaira Tas Kronenburg
Partnerships Manager

Zaira Tas Kronenburg holds a degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences, with a specialization in Earth, Energy and Sustainability, and a Master’s in Environment, Politics and Development from SOAS University of London. She began her professional career in climate and energy policy, gaining experience at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change and the Global Center on Adaptation, where she worked on energy transition and climate adaptation strategies in Africa. Her connection to the Lusophone world began during high school, when she lived in Mozambique. At ALER, she serves as Partnerships Manager, fostering collaboration between different stakeholders to advance renewable energy across Portuguese-speaking countries.

Read more

Communication

Joana Rodrigues
Communication Manager

Joana has a degree in Communication and Multimedia. She was an Executive Producer and Communication Manager for three artistic companies (Dance and Theater) and was later responsible for Science and Communication Management at CIAC - Research Center for Arts and Communication, at the University of Algarve. She is currently a Communication Manager at ALER.

Read more

Governing Structure

Board

Mayra Pereira
President - Gaia EES Consulting

Covered market:
Mozambique and Angola

Nuno Gomes
Vice-President - SOAPRO

Covered market:
Angola

Joana Mendonça
Vice-President - TESE

Covered market:
São Tomé and Príncipe, Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde

Pedro Amaral Jorge
Member - APREN
Pedro Coutinho
Member - SOURCE

Covered market:
Mozambique and Angola

Micas Noa Cumbano
Member - MozCarbon

Covered market:
Mozambique

Bruno Lopes
Member - Cabeólica

Covered market:
Cape Verde

General Assembly

Miquelina Menezes
President - Professora
Miguel Centeno Brito
Vice-President - FCUL – Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa
Rui Sá
Secretary - INEGI – Instituto de Ciência e Inovação em Engenharia Mecânica e Engenharia Industrial

Supervisory Board

Pedro Eira Leitão
President - HIDROERG – Projectos Energéticos, Limitada
João Louro e Costa
Vice-President - Uria Menéndez Abogados, SLP – Sucursal em Portugal
Pedro Martins
Secretary - Rosseti Engenharia