Iberdrola, a major Spanish energy company, has received the final environmental approval to construct Portugal's largest wind farm. This milestone moves the company forward in its expansion efforts in Portugal and aligns with its strategy of promoting decarbonisation and independence from fossil fuels.

Source: Iberdrola

The upcoming wind farm, to be built in Vila Real, Braga, will have a capacity of 274 MW—enough to meet the energy requirements of 128,000 households. This project stands out for its hybridisation, combining wind and hydro power, and making use of the grid injection point already established at the Tâmega hydroelectric complex.

Cutting-edge technology

The Portuguese environmental agency, APA, has approved the construction project, following the fulfilment of all conditions and measures outlined in the favourable Environmental Impact Statement, which Iberdrola secured in March 2023.

With the environmental approval in place, Iberdrola will proceed with the application for a production license from the Portuguese Directorate-General for Energy and Geology. The goal is to obtain all necessary permits and commence construction by early 2025.

Coexistence with the environment

The integration of wind power with the Tâmega hydroelectric complex brings several benefits. It boosts the supply of clean, affordable, and competitive energy, and it reduces dependency on fluctuating environmental conditions and potential shortages of resources like wind, resulting in more stable and efficient renewable production.

Hybrid power plants, which share common infrastructure, come with a lower environmental impact compared to independent plants. They also take advantage of previously used land for renewable generation.

Iberdrola will implement a series of environmental measures to mitigate the impact on the local ecosystems. These include planting native species, implementing forest management actions in nearby forests, and setting up Ecological Systems Monitoring Programmes.

Tâmega hydroelectric project

The Tâmega hydroelectric project is one of the biggest hydroelectric projects in Europe over the last 25 years. It includes three power plants with a total installed capacity of 1,158 MW, representing a 6% increase in Portugal's total installed electrical power. This complex will generate 1,766 GWh annually, enough to meet the energy needs of surrounding municipalities and the cities of Braga and Guimarães.

The project will also contribute to reducing CO2 emissions by 1.2 million tonnes per year and diversifying production sources, thereby curtailing over 160,000 tonnes of oil imports annually. Moreover, it's anticipated to stimulate economic activity and employment in the region, creating up to 3,500 direct jobs and 10,000 indirect jobs during the construction phase.

With a total investment exceeding €1.5 billion, the Tâmega Hydroelectric Complex is one of the most significant energy initiatives in Portugal's history. It will have an energy reserve of 40 million kWh, equivalent to the energy consumed by 11 million people in their homes over a 24-hour period.