Wind Power News: Portugal
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They are the products of the organizations or individuals noted and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch.
Pá de torre eólica incendeia-se na Pampilhosa da Serra
Um incêndio numa das pás de uma torre eólica, em Portela de Unhais, Pampilhosa da Serra, acabou por obrigar à intervenção dos bombeiros durante a tarde desta quinta-feira. O alerta foi dado às 12h47 por um popular, apurou o CM junto dos Bombeiros Voluntários da Pampilhosa da Serra. A pá em chamas acabou por cair, incendiando o mato à volta da torre eólica. As chamas acabariam por ser extintas pelos bombeiros, que estiveram no local com sete homens, apoiados por . . . Complete story »
Government approves new €24m wind farm project
The government has given the go-ahead for a €24-million wind farm project put forward by Lena Group subsidiary, Eneólica, in the Serra D’Aire mountain range, some 100 kilometres northeast of Lisbon. The group announced the new wind farm will have an installed capacity of 20 megawatts (MW) and is the third to be authorised by the current government as part of licenses granted in 2008 and 2009. It brings the installed capacity of all three wind farms to 68 Megawatts . . . Complete story »
Renewable producers face repaying €140m
Renewables producers will have to repay any financial support received in addition to the feed-in tariff to the national electricity system, according to a decree published by the industry ministry. The principle of recouping the additional payments, which the government has estimated at around €140 million, was included in the 2017 budget, approved by Portugal’s parliament in December 2016. The measure aims to minimise annual electricity price rises agreed by the previous government with international creditors in order to eliminate . . . Complete story »
Wind turbine workers suspected of causing Algarve fires
Employees from the Cachopo wind turbine construction company have been formally charged with starting a fire that destroyed more than 26,000 hectares of scrubland in the Algarve last month. The case, which is being investigated by the PJ police was subject to forensic testing after the fire that consumed large parts of Tavira and São Brás de Alportel municipalities between 18 and 22 July. A police source told Lusa News Agency that the initial focus of the blaze followed a . . . Complete story »
Government deals new blow to wind
The Portuguese government has dealt the wind sector another blow by announcing cuts in tariffs for existing wind farms totalling EUR100-200 million up to 2020. Growth in capacity has already practically ground to a halt since January following a moratorium on feed-in tariffs (FITs) for new projects. Wind and other renewable-energy producers will be offered “some kind of non-financial incentives” to join a voluntary scheme to lower FITs, a Portuguese economy ministry source told Windpower Monthly. The initiative is part . . . Complete story »
Portugal extends wind tariff cuts to existing projects
Following January’s suspension of feed-in tariffs for new wind power projects, the Portuguese economy minister Álvaro Santos has announced tariff cuts for existing wind farms of between €100 and 200 million. Sources in the economy ministry told WPM that wind power producers will be encouraged to sign up voluntarily to a new, lower rate of feed-in tariffs in return for unspecified, non-financial incentives. The measure is part of wider cuts in financial support affecting all electricity producers, which, the government . . . Complete story »
EDP Renováveis sees 68% profit fall
Portugal’s EDP Renováveis (EDPR) recorded a net profit fall of 68% for the first nine months of 2010, partly due to costs relating to newly commissioned capacity. In a statement to market regulator CMVM on November 3, EDPR said gross operating profit was up 28% to €473.1 million, the respective margin reached 71%, operative costs increased 49% to €189 million, while capex dropped 25% to €1.120 million. Over the past 12 months, EDPR installed 1.3GW of capacity (+27%) and aims . . . Complete story »
Portugal set to cut feed-in tariffs
The Portuguese government has announced that it will review the existing feed-in tariff mechanism following calls that the subsidies are excessive and contribute to the increase of electricity prices to final consumers. The tariff review is anticipated in Portugal’s National Energy Strategy 2020, published in June. It will consider the contribution of new technologies in the production of renewable energy, as well as the costs associated with their development. The support mechanism is voluntary and is managed by the Directorate . . . Complete story »
SSE to enters two JVs for wind farm development in Portugal
Scottish & Southern Energy’s renewable division, Airtricity, has entered into two joint ventures to further its wind farm development plans in Portugal, totaling 400 mega watts of potential capacity. The first agreement, which could see construction beginning by the end of year, is with Riviera, a Portuguese real estate and property development company, under which the companies will jointly develop a number of wind farms totaling approximately 250 mega watts (MW). Airtricity will hold a 60 percent share in the . . . Complete story »
Wind farm plans
A wind farm with 21 turbines to be built in Aljezur, providing energy for around 148,000 houses, is currently under public consultation. The renewable energy farm, which is estimated to produce 113.400 megawatts per year, is planned to be constructed in the Serra do Espinhaço do Cão in Aljezur Câmara. An environmental study carried out on the Parque de Monte do Tolo, part of the serra where the farm is due to be constructed, is under public consultation at Aljezur . . . Complete story »
