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Wind Power News Archive: Portugal
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch in its noncommercial educational mission to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law. The original articles, links to which are provided, may have additional links and photos and other media that were not included here.
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 »
Staking all on a renewable future
What does the Iberian wolf think about renewable energy? Not much, it seems. Three packs of wolves range across the mountains above the Minho valley in northern Portugal, just beside zones marked out for the biggest wind farm in Europe. The wolves had to be tracked by satellite to see what they got up to once the building work started. Not surprisingly, they were frightened off. As the first wind turbines were finished and a measure of peace returned to . . . Complete story »
Galp's Ventinveste consortium, govt to sign wind power contract tomorrow
Galp Energia SGPS’ Ventinveste consortium is expected to sign tomorrow the contract with the Portuguese government to produce 480 megawatts of wind power, said a source close to the process. Economy minister Manuel Pinho and Galp’s CEO Manuel Ferreira de Oliveira are expected to be present at the signing in Aveiro, the source added. The Ventinveste consortium was awarded a total of 480 MW of capacity in the second phase of the Portuguese government’s recent wind tender. Ventinveste’s main members are . . . Complete story »
EDF EN to build two wind farms in Portugal in 500 mln eur investment
EDF Energies Nouvelles said it has arranged 500 mln eur in project financing in order to build two wind farms in Portugal. The investment involves a development at Alto Minho costing 325 mln eur and with a planned ouput of 240 MW, and another at Arada costing 175 mln eur and with a output of 112 MW. These two wind farms are due to enter service in 2008 and 2009 respectively. The Alto Minho project will be the largest wind farm in . . . Complete story »
