Museu de Eletricidade - Casa da Luz

About the museum

The Museu de Eletricidade – Casa da Luz is the museum of the Empresa de Eletricidade da Madeira (EEM) and operates in the adapted premises of the former Funchal Thermal Power Station, linked to the island's first electricity concessionaire, the Madeira Electric Lighting Company. The power station was only permanently shut down in 1989. The museum opened on 24 November 1997, to mark the centenary of the arrival of electricity in the Region.

The exhibition is organised into several thematic areas. “Luzes do Funchal” (Lights of Funchal) shows the types of lighting used in the city and its street furniture, from the first oil lamps to today's lamps. “Um Século de Eletricidade” (A Century of Electricity) tells the story of the electrification of the archipelago, with thermal and hydraulic production machinery, a transformer station, models of power plants and electricity networks, and a three-dimensional map.

A third area, with an educational character, presents primary and renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, and a science and technology space with interactive equipment. The museum also has a temporary exhibition room, a documentation centre and an auditorium.

Highlights

• Housed in the former Funchal Thermal Power Station
• Exhibition “Luzes do Funchal” on the city's lighting
• “Um Século de Eletricidade” with machinery, transformer station and models
• Energy sources and a science space with interactive equipment
• Plasma ball and other educational devices

Permanent exhibitions

• Luzes do Funchal – The types of lighting used in Funchal and the corresponding street furniture, from the first oil lamps to today's lamps.
• Um Século de Eletricidade – The history of the electrification of the archipelago, with thermal and hydraulic production machinery, a transformer station, models of power plants and electricity networks, and a three-dimensional map.
• Fontes de energia e espaço de ciência – Educational exhibition on primary and renewable energy, such as wind and solar, with interactive equipment and multimedia.

Founded

1997

Operated by

Empresa de Eletricidade da Madeira (EEM)

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Saturday of each month, from 10:00 to 12:30, for residents of Portugal (with proof).

Free admission also for visitors to the temporary exhibitions, companions of visitors with specific needs, the press, employees of the EEM Group, and members of APOM, ICOM and AICA, and for entities with collaboration agreements.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum states that it complies with the safety and circulation standards for visitors with disabilities.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

There is an educational science and technology space with interactive and multimedia equipment, and an educational service for schools.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Shop with publications, catalogues and educational material, and café.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit